The Toys “R” Us chain is closing 5 of its shops in Ontario and plans to revamp a number of others.
What Toys “R” Us shops are closing?
In November, prospects shared on social media places impacted included 4559 Hurontario St. in Mississauga, 1099 Marcus Dr. in Sudbury, 1925 Dundas St. within the Argyle Mall in London and 540 Centennial Pkwy. N. in Stoney Creek.
The corporate confirmed the situation at 300 Steeles Ave. W. in Thornhill can be shutting its doorways.
Toys “R” Us employees share goodbye messages
“Thank you for your loyalty to the brand, and thank you for your support,” Sudbury employees member Jerome Strickland wrote on his Fb web page in an 2024 put up. “It saddens us that we have to say our goodbyes. Our team worked so hard to make this store different from all the others, and I hope we did it justice.”
“It’s really hard for us to accept the fact this is happening, so please treat us with kindness. We are doing our best. From regular guests to occasional guests, the Toys “R” Us Sudbury household needs you the very best new 12 months in 2025. I am going to all the time be a toysrus (sic) child.”
In Mississauga, the identical Toys “R” Us location that’s closing just lately added an HMV part for music, motion pictures and extra.
Each HMV and Toys “R” Us are owned by Canadian retail magnate Doug Putman. One other basic retail model, Dawn Data, can be Putman-owned.
Expanded HMV sections and Wonderlab
The corporate did say some remaining places would now see an expanded, standalone HMV part, whereas different places can be renovated to incorporate a Wonderlab — an space with an indoor play construction, house for crafting and sensory video games.
The Wonderlab idea is a partnership with Toronto promoting firm Open, and was examined in Vancouver and at a Burlington location, with success.
“The philosophy behind Wonderlab by Toys “R” Us is that playing is the most important part of learning and when kids play they aren’t afraid to experiment and try new things,” a Toys “R” Us Canada spokesperson stated in a 2013 press launch. “We want to foster kids’ imaginations by giving them a place to start learning that discovery and exploration happen through play.”
A media launch from Could 2023 shared that Toys “R” Us and Infants “R” Us had 107 places throughout Canada.
There may be nonetheless one other Mississauga location to buy in particular person, at 3150 Argentina Rd. Different shops in Hamilton, at 970 Wentworth St., and 3075 Wonderland Rd. S. in London, additionally stay open.
“Toys “R” Us is Canada’s devoted toy retailer and we all know our consumers anticipate large issues from us as they search for the proper present for each child on their record,” firm advertising and marketing director Allyson Banks stated in an October media launch sharing the 2024 High Toy record.
In the US, Toys “R” Us filed for Chapter 11 chapter safety on Sept. 18, 2017. The corporate continues to be round on-line, and at choose Macy’s shops.
In Canada, the corporate is independently owned, however nonetheless needed to file for chapter safety.
-with information from Torstar Information Service
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