For me, it was a place to browse an endless selection of Barbies and Barbie-related paraphernalia. For J, it was one of the first jobs he had as a teenager. And for our kids, it has been a place to select a treat from somewhere even better than a candy shop because the treat is theirs to keep forever. While it was no Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Toys R Us was still magical and the memories we’ve all made there will live on long after its stores close in the coming months. It’s sad to see it go and even sadder that I’ll soon be giving very parental “That (insert newest awesome store name here) Used to be a Toys R Us” speeches to the kids, but I’m coming to terms with the Capitalistic Circle of Life.
I’ll admit I’m definitely part of the problem. I’m one of the many, many people who shop for toys online or pick them up during a routine Target run rather than traveling to a dedicated toy store. A lack of convenience (because, ya know, Target sells toys and toilet paper) combined with a lack of innovation (i.e. minimal updates and upgrades over the past couple decades) is what probably led a lot of us astray. Increased engagement – as people are looking for more experiences than things nowadays – may have helped but even the Toys R Us in Times Square couldn’t keep its doors open so I suppose that’s not the solution either. In any case, we’ll soon be seeing stores that helped make our childhood memories empty and up for real estate grabs. Before that happens however, we thought it only right to say a proper goodbye.
At the end of March (when the discounts were at a trivial 10% – boo!), J and I took Hendrix and Sadie on what will be one of our last trips to Toys R Us. I decided to document the day so we could look back on it via my blog whilst an Amazon cart full of toys is open in another tab. #funnynotfunny Please Note: Ella isn’t pictured because she was with her daddy that day but also because she’s 13 going on 30 and she’s not losing sleep over missing my grand toy store photoshoot. Love you Ellie! 😉 Here are the photos…
Because, of course, we need ALL the princess dresses…
Hendrix’s all-time favorite section of any toy store = Minecraft.
They are so in love with Coco and TBH I am too!
I’m usually the not-so-cool mom who never lets her kids climb into the display cars but today was the exception… 🙂
I think the current discount is up to 50% off so we might have to make another trip…
Haven’t we all had one of these at one point in our lives as either a parent or a child? So classic!
Sadie has wanted this Beauty and the Beast tea cart for the longest time so we’ll probably definitely be making another trip.
This is Sadie’s favorite section because she’s currently #obsessed with My Little Pony!
One last look…
…and a look down at their goodies of the day.
That’s it for our grand goodbye! What are your thoughts on Toys R Us’s final farewell? What will you miss? Let me know…
SaveSaveSaveSave
Deana says
Have had many years of happy times there, to both shop and browse ! Has a
much bigger selection than target. Purchased
many swimming pools, board games,Crayons, birthday gifts, baby gifts, Christmas gifts, Barbies & Baby dolls, Furbies, games for Intelevision- Texas Instruments, Atari etc. Even found the premie diapers there since there are a few little ones in our family that made their entry a little early.
Really going to miss that place 😕 and I too have not been there for a while but I believe I would have if they would’ve kept it up a little bit better on the exterior, it did seem to be a little bit drab The past several years and the customer service and help wasn’t what it used to be.
This is such an important factor to keep people coming back it’s about the experience not just the purchase. People want to be able to come to a place where they get help and with a smile and willingness to help.
Good bye and we will add you to the list of “Things that aren’t here anymore “