Adieu Toys R Us: the ‘80s iconic store is closing its toy box to the world forever — at least for now. The retail chain and its beloved mascot – Geoffrey Giraffe have Socially Sparked® the lives of millions of children of the ’80s and ’90s. While this news is bittersweet for every child that grew up as a ‘Toys ‘R Us Kid‘, never say forever. /p>
TOY STORE ECONOMICS
The advent of internet shopping and portals as Amazon continue to take its toll on iconic traditional retail stores, much the same way as cable TV and on demand services did with the mom and pop video stores of the ‘80s.
The closing of Toys ‘R Us means that its 735 US stores will begin shutting its doors permanently, liquidating its inventory and leaving more than 33,000 employees out of work. Globally, it remains to be seen what exactly will happen to its Canadian and international operations.
When all is said and done, the demise of the Wayne, NJ-based toy store chain could represent the largest retail lay-off in the US since another retail chain, Circuit City, shut its doors in 2008.
The toy store retailer joins a list of other iconic stores:
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1990’s Zainy Brainy – America’s largest educational superstore for kids, which filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and sold its assets to Right Start.
FAO Schwarz (Founded in 1862) — was one of the oldest and most iconic toy brands in the world. It’s NYC flagship store and its contents of one-of-a-kind playthings, giant-sized toys, created cherished memories for generations of kids and families.
THE POWER OF NOSTALGIA & TLC
While children and families everywhere may mourn the loss of one more childhood memory — not to worry. It’s a proven fact that what goes around comes around in one form or another. Everyone loves nostalgia. Retro and old school are terms that come to mind.
In fact, last December 2017, FAO Schwarz returned to New York City’s Fifth Avenue for the holiday season inside of famed retailer Bergdoff Goodman.
You can’t keep a good thing down for too long. While we bid adieu for now and Toys ‘R Us joins it’s predecessors and competitors in Toy Store Heaven, history will repeat itself. They will be back in one form or another. — Abbe is Socially Sparked! Tweet @sosparkednews & @asparks01
The Author
December 2, 2019
[…] that we bid adieu to the ‘80s iconic toy store. You heard it here first. Back then we wrote that ‘Toys R Us was closing its toy box to the world forever — at least for now. While this news is bittersweet for every child that grew up as a […]