When we first heard the news that Toys R Us went bankrupt nearly two years ago, it felt like we’d lost an important part of our childhood. Who doesn’t have memories of taking trips to the iconic toy store as a kid and again with our own kids? The beloved toy store chain bounced back as Tru Kids Inc. and announced plans to open new stores in the US earlier this year. Those stores are finally opening, just in time for the holidays.
One of the first stores to reopen will be located inside Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. While the grand opening is on November 30, a soft opening is happening tomorrow morning after a ribbon cutting ceremony and media preview. The other store is in Houston, Texas. Plans to open these locations in time for the holidays were announced by Tru Kids Brands in a July press release.
Toys R Us stores have a new look and vibe now, too. Tru Kids and b8ta, a software-powered experiential retailer, teamed up to create a highly immersive store in a smaller format space. Stores will be interactive in a multitude of ways. Kids will be able to see toys displayed outside the box so they can play before you buy, plus there’ll be different stations (think STEAM, or time with Geoffrey the Giraffe in the open playspace) that’ll help the kids learn and play at the same time. Events and activities will now be a regular part of the shopping experience.
More locations are expected to open over the course of 2020. Until then, count us in for a visit to the Garden State Plaza store. Happy shopping!
