The frenzy is just hitting Fresno and "My Girl" in Fresno's Fashion Fair Mall is the scene of the latest fuss over the colorful bracelets.
"My Girl" store owners wanted to stay ahead of a trend that's already sweeping the east coast ... but just getting the popular bracelets in stock was a challenge. They were on back order for several weeks.
At Silly Bandz headquarters in Toledo, Ohio ... keeping up with demand has become a nonstop job. They're taking a thousand orders a week and shipping out millions of the silicone wristbands every month.
Silly Bandz CEO Robert Croak got the idea at a trade show several years ago. "A Japanese designer was making the shaped bands that were thinner and smaller. So we came up with the rebranding and made them larger and thicker and hence Silly Bandz was born."
His idea didn't catch on right away. But when it did, it soared. Two years ago annual sales were $10 thousand. Today, sales are $100 million.
And there are plenty of imitations. We bought generic wristbands from CVS. They are not as durable and sell for $2.00 for a 12 pack. Silly Bandz are more stretchy with better quality. A 24 pack sells for about $5.00.
Alicynne Cheney is a mother of three and a third grade teacher. Her daughters are hooked. "I think they are cute. I like the colors. I think they are simple and they can get wet so they can wear them all the time."
The craze has prompted some schools in New York to ban the bands. Teachers say they're a distraction. Some school nurses say they can constrict circulation.
Cheney is expecting to see a lot of Silly Bandz when school resumes. "I'm guessing they'll be a huge distraction but I think it will be fun just because the kids can trade and do those things as long as feelings aren't hurt and they don't get a bad trade, I guess."
"My Girl" managers are hoping to ride the Silly Bandz wave. "Their favorite thing to do is trade them and we are thinking about in the future to have like Friday night is Silly Bandz trade night. Just to get the kids in here and more involved with the Silly Bandz."
The fad does isn't fizzling. In fact, some adults have even caught the fever. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker even sports Silly Bandz. She even ran into the audience during Regis and Kelly just to get a Silly Band.
Sounds silly, but it's serious fun for fanatics trying to find the latest glorified rubber bands
