The Toys “R” Us chain is closing five of its stores in Ontario and plans to revamp several others.
What Toys “R” Us stores are closing?
In November, customers shared on social media locations impacted included 4559 Hurontario St. in Mississauga, 1099 Marcus Dr. in Sudbury, 1925 Dundas St. in the Argyle Mall in London and 540 Centennial Pkwy. N. in Stoney Creek.
The company confirmed the location at 300 Steeles Ave. W. in Thornhill is also shutting its doors.
Toys “R” Us staff share goodbye messages
“Thank you for your loyalty to the brand, and thank you for your support,” Sudbury staff member Jerome Strickland wrote on his Facebook page in an 2024 post. “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 family wishes you the best new year in 2025. I’ll always be a toysrus (sic) kid.”
In Mississauga, the same Toys “R” Us location that is closing recently added an HMV section for music, movies and more.
Both HMV and Toys “R” Us are owned by Canadian retail magnate Doug Putman. Another classic retail brand, Sunrise Records, is also Putman-owned.
Expanded HMV sections and Wonderlab
The company did say some remaining locations would now see an expanded, standalone HMV section, while other locations would be renovated to include a Wonderlab — an area with an indoor play structure, space for crafting and sensory games.
The Wonderlab concept is a partnership with Toronto advertising company Open, and was tested 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 said in a 2013 press release. “We want to foster kids’ imaginations by giving them a place to start learning that discovery and exploration happen through play.”
A media release from May 2023 shared that Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us had 107 locations across Canada.
There is still another Mississauga location to shop in person, at 3150 Argentina Rd. Other stores in Hamilton, at 970 Wentworth St., and 3075 Wonderland Rd. S. in London, also remain open.
“Toys “R” Us is Canada’s dedicated toy store and we know our shoppers expect big things from us as they look for the perfect gift for every kid on their list,” company marketing director Allyson Banks said in an October media release sharing the 2024 Top Toy list.
In the United States, Toys “R” Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 18, 2017. The company is still around online, and at select Macy’s stores.
In Canada, the company is independently owned, but still had to file for bankruptcy protection.
-with files from Torstar News Service
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Janis Ramsay is an online editor with Metroland. Reach her at [email protected].
