Toys 'R' Us Closing Is The End Of An Era For Toys 'R' Us Kids
Start writing a post
Retail Stores

Rest In Peace, Toys 'R' Us, From a Former Toys 'R' Us Kid

So, say goodbye to an era of smiles, Barbies, and G.I. Joes.

147
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/14677159971/in/photolist-omYhjg-Cwbh1Z-5Rw7z5-D3nHz9-iysULX-iytw8M-nzzwPw-iytyyP-btjoGS-hnuECX-iysV8i-YcSybo-23o7nEd-nS5bhc-nzzwZG-oFd3hz-o6kNdC-iytjMJ-4jeVRU-dFqKGD-iytvTZ-HMm32L-oDqksS-crg8EN-eNMTCy-5qpNwR-d97s4U-bDNTy8-7nkjvz-m2cUvg-85T6Dn-GUDYZU-5zdtSJ-dnB9zt-23He4aC-dnohk7-e61nqV-bQHsNv-5ETxWA-dUSX3a-eF4KgM-23UMb95-btjoVJ-aJWBM6-GsDyqn-dD8RDj-5zhBKH-owHbVv-4ruh1Y-crg5fb
Flickr

On June 29, Toys 'R' Us announced it's official resignation and closed all its stores across the nation. Therefore, basically, to all us '90s kids, our childhood has been compromised. They sent out a message to their customers and followers stating,

"Thanks to each of you who share your amazing journey to (and through) parenthood with us, and to every grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother and sister who's built a couch-cushion rocket ship, made up a hero adventure, or invented something gooey. Promise us just this one thing: Don't ever grow up. Play on!"

For 70 years, the children's toy store has sold walls and walls of dolls, trucks, or any toy you can think of. If you didn't beg your mom to take you to Toys 'R' Us when you were younger around Christmas, you were born too late. I can remember going to the store with my grandma and her saying, "Pick out anything you want," which was basically the climax of my childhood life. Now, unfortunately, that reign has ended and kids will go put things in their Amazon wishlist instead of in an actual cart.

Not only are the kids and longtime shoppers upset, but the employees are protests against this closing. According to CNN, workers were not paid their severance checks and were only given a 60 days notice prior to the closing. They're having to deal with both, seeking a new job, and trying to control the stores discounted chaos.

So why is this terror upon us?

To make you grow up really fast, a little term called bankruptcy. In 2005, the company moved to a private real estate and became about $5.3 billion dollars in debt, and could never recover. They announced their closing in early March, yet no one took it too seriously and believed they would get out of this hole. With Walmart and Target rising in their toy sales and surpassing the chain, there was little hope for these stores to remain open. After a few months of desperation and phenomenal sales, yet not enough, our beloved childhood heaven could not be saved.

"It's a tragedy....this place has everything you could want, right in one place," says longtime customer on the ToysRUs twitter account. There was a huge outburst across social media about the closing and how sad everyone was to hear that their beloved childhood toy store was coming to an end. One customer, who chose to stay anonymous, bought $1 million dollars worth of toys at a final sale within the last few days to donate to charity. So while Geoffrey the Giraffe, the management, and all the Toys 'R' Us kids say goodbye, the legacy still will live on.

So, say goodbye to an era of smiles, barbies, and G.I. Joes, because we can no longer be Toys 'R' US kids...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0gpw-lB3F/?hl=en&tag...

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40043
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24628
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950459
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

130699
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments