SEATTLE—
Issaquah-based retailer Costco has pulled thousands of dolls from store shelves after complaints the toy was offensive.The doll was part of the "Cuddle With Me" line that featured dolls showing either a monkey or panda theme. Both types of dolls were mass-produced with African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic coloring. The dolls with the monkey theme wear hats that say "lil' monkey".
The first shopper to complain about the doll was John Taylor of Greensboro, N.C. Taylor said the doll reminded him of racial slurs he heard before the civil rights movement. "Seeing that, it all just brought everything back to me" Taylor said.
Pamela Artison saw the doll at a Costco in Tukwila "a very cute dolly, just a very ugly title." Artison is among those hoping Costco will pay better attention to what ends up on their shelves. "You would think they would have someone in their buying industry that would know better, I'm extremely disappointed" Artison tells Q13 Fox News.
The dolls were produced by Federal Way-based company Brass Key Keepsakes. The CEO of the company said they never intended to offend anyone. Mary Gustaff said "we created the dolls in various ethnicities to offer something for everyone." Gustaff described Brass Key as a family-owned business with a diverse workforce. "The dolls were designed to bring joy, that was always our intent" Gustaff said. She said they were only designed and produced for Costco and they apologize to anyone who was offended.
Costco did not return calls from Q13 Fox News, on Friday. But Costco Vice President, Arthur Jackson, told WGHP-TV "we offer our sincere apology to anyone who was offended."
