Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP/Press Association Images
Toy Story

The massive Toys"R"Us in Times Square is closing

So long, massive indoor ferris wheel

NEW YORK CITY is set to lose another landmark toy shop when Toys”R”Us shutters its Times Square flagship store on 30 December.

The location, which boasts 110,000 square feet, will close after the toy chain declined to renew its lease, which expires in January. The store first opened in November 2001.

Closing Times Square enabled Toys”R”Us to “realise meaningful rent savings,” a company representative said.

“We have not signed a lease agreement for a new location at this time, but we are actively searching for another location in Manhattan.”

The company continues to operate 17 locations of Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us in the greater New York area, the representative added.

TOYS R US The store has a giant ferris wheel which will now be out of a job. It may sue for funfair dismissal. (Sorry) AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The move comes on the heels of the closing of the iconic toyshop FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue earlier this year.

At the time, Toys”R”Us, which owns FAO Schwarz, cited soaring real estate costs, but said it could reopen FAO Schwarz elsewhere in Manhattan at a future date.

Conventional specialty retail chains like Toys”R”Us are under pressure from general merchandise retailers like Wal-Mart and Target that sell toys, as well as from Amazon and other online stores.

On 15 December, Toys”R”Us reported a loss in the third quarter of $167 million.

- © AFP 2015

Read: Here are the 13 toys that kids will be clamouring for this Christmas

Read: 22 toys every Irish kid begged for for Christmas

Your Voice
Readers Comments
24
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.