Just announced yesterday more KB toys are closing

[tmthor]

Just annaounced yesterday more Kb toys are closing. Around me the one in Plymouth MA, Pembroke MA, Attleboro MA, Walpole MA, & Worcerster.
One employee told me they are cloing more than 100 stores. & will probably be completely out of bussiness by this time next year.

[toys2cool]

wow that really sucks,here in Miami there's only one left,about 5 of them have closed down in the last 2 years

[The Sentry]

They only have 2 here and the one closest to me is almost 50 miles away! I love KB toys, WalMart and Target are killing it for all the other stores, not to mention the fact that record stores are selling toys in their shops kills the business as well. It all adds up after a while. :muh:

[jds1911a1]

in a past regeneration (er I mean career little Dr Who joke) I worked for a KB. As a corporate entity it has always suffered from it's buy anything cheap mentality. We always had barrels of cheap action figures from dead toy lines that arrived pre red slashed. We woudl have to waste valuable shelf and floor space in a mall store for stuff another store already wrote off. Big lots gets alot of the same kind of junk.
That warehouseing stupidity made it that much harder for our store to get the current toys people actually wanted and were willin to pay our slightly higher price than walmart,target,kmart,toysrus,etc etc.

In my area they went out of bus about 2 years ago and I miss them but it doesn't surprise me

[davidb]

Do you have a link to the list? We've still got one where I am, and I'm wondering if it's still going to be there.

[toys2cool]

I kind of figured something was up though,the one in my mall just switched locations to s smaller space,I know there's still a huge one in the outlet mall in Orlando.

I could remember as a kid getting Star Wars figures for $1 and the 2 pack ones for like $1.50,I never liked it as much as Toys R Us but I do have some great memories of KB,the one thing I hated was that they were always so expensive,while a Ninja Turtle was $5 at Toys R Us it was $8 there and stuff like that

[cjefferys]

It's too bad, but I can't say I'm surprised, the chain has been on life support for years now. There are still several in my general area, including a couple larger "outlet" ones, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them gone in the near future (perhaps one more Christmas season for them). I always wonder how long Toys R Us will survive, considering the all mighty Walmart is their competition.

[LadyZod]

As a toy collector I always loved KB, if for nothing else... being able to buy price slashed figures from past toylines. Granted for every gem there's 100000000 pieces of crap, but I always loved it.

There's 2 KB's at 2 outlets in Orlando, off I4, and 2 at Sawgrass Mills in broward, and one at Dolphin Mall that I know of.

[megocrazy]

The one in Franklin MA went out about 18 months ago, and the one near me in New Bedford MA went about 6 months later. I bought a lot of good stuff there. It's too bad.

[toys2cool]

As a toy collector I always loved KB, if for nothing else... being able to buy price slashed figures from past toylines. Granted for every gem there's 100000000 pieces of crap, but I always loved it.

There's 2 KB's at 2 outlets in Orlando, off I4, and 2 at Sawgrass Mills in broward, and one at Dolphin Mall that I know of.

The one at Dolphin was the one I was talking about,not sure if the 2 at sawgrass are still there and the one by I4 in the outlet mall is the other I go to when ever I'm at Orlando

[johnmiic]

There were some in pretty remote locations here in NY. I know of only 2 near me now. There was one hidden in an area called Port Washington where I would go and find all kinds of rare but current toys. It's too bad. They are going the way of Woolworths.

[toysrus]

I figured this was coming with Target & Walmart out there. When did KB start? 1980's huh? Its hard to picture KB Toys as another store that only remains in our childhood memories.

[Adam West]

Unfortunately, KB did nothing to distinguish itself from the competition and their higher prices did not make store visits appealing.

I think TRU will be ok. If you look around their store, they carry a lot of items that can't be found in a WalMart or Target (take a look at their wooden Thomas the Tank Engine assortment or some of the other high end toy lines).

They have a good video game selection and the prices are in line with Target and WalMart.

[tmthor]

I figured this was coming with Target & Walmart out there. When did KB start? 1980's huh? Its hard to picture KB Toys as another store that only remains in our childhood memories.

K•B Toys (previously known as Kay Bee Toys) is a chain of mall-based retail toy stores in the United States. It was founded in 1922

[toys2cool]

I figured this was coming with Target & Walmart out there. When did KB start? 1980's huh? Its hard to picture KB Toys as another store that only remains in our childhood memories.
if Lionel Play world went down and that was a huge store,it was only a matter of time before KB went down,it's just going to suck going to a mall and not seeing a toy store

[Count Creepyhead]

good riddance. Other than the discount bins of crap they got from other stores, all they had was overpriced toys from 3 years ago in beat up packages.

I tried to buy a Jakks Frankenstein in what I'd barley even consider a box in the state it was in. anyways when i asked the lady if I could get a discount since it was practically loose and had been on the shelf since 2003, she said no.

6 months later it's still sitting there at full price...along with the King Kong toys that have been clearance for 2 years at the same price.

I use to buy toys there all the time as a kid, especially G.I. Joe, but in the last 10 years..ever since they stopped carrying models, they have sucked eggs.

[Goblin19]

They disappeared from malls a couple of years ago around here, but we still have 2 outlets. I've been waiting for them to go, too.

[kingdom warrior]

Glad they are going out of The Toy Biz they are an embarrassment I knew a few people who worked there and they got horrible pay...Everywhere I wenttheir stores were always a mess....Only good thing about them is you could find discounted toys....Glad they will be Gone can't wait till toys r us bites too.....They are just as Horrible in Running their biz...

I Miss Mom and Pop toy stores......I actually have one in my Neighborhood run by two brothers and i give them all lot of my business.

[Sideshow Spock]

While it wouldn't surprise me if KB was planning to close more stores, I can't find any indication of an announcement anywhere on the news or business wires. Just to be clear, by "announced", you mean the employees at your local KB told you so?

The only story coming out of KB in the past week was the re-hiring of a former executive:

Berkshire Eagle Online - KB taps former executive (http://www.berkshireeagle.com/localnews/ci_7260088)

[toys2cool]

I don't know man seems like alot of people would'nt care if it closed down,but it's another toy store gone.I know when Lionel was closing down I was like ehh w/e we still got KB and Toys R us but after it's gone you kind of miss it.I remember all the great deals Lionel use to have.I would definitely miss KB if it were gone

[davidb]

I know that where I am, we've never had a TRU that's less than an hour away. KB, while it's definitely not what it used to be, is still another toy store, and still has some things (TNA wrestling figures, to name one) that I can't find anywhere else.

When I was a kid, we had a local store called the Warehouse of Toys. I still remember dreaming about being able to go in the building and discover some unopened stock after they'd closed down.

[jwyblejr]

I've got nothing against KBs. Back in the day,they were the place to go if you needed an exclusive you couldn't normally get a hold of.

[LOU]

I've worked for K-B since 1997, part-time for the last 3 years, and I can confirm for you as fact that some stores are indeed closing. The reason there is no public announcement yet is because the info is supposed to be "inside confidential" at this time...of course you know that never happens. So bascially, right now only employees have been informed. There is indeed speculation that they will all be closed at some point next year but no formal announcement as such has been made. My guess is they are using this upcoming Holiday season to rake in some final cash in their remaining stores before they go. In terms of messy stores, in this area Walmart's toy department is disgraceful. A complete mess usually; so bad that you can't even tell what goes where anymore. I'm finding my taste for new toys is waning other than the JLU line anyway.
As with many of us modern toy collectors, I think we are really trying and recapture those wonderful days in the 70's buying our Megos...but the toy industry is so far away from the Mego era now that it's mostly over-produced junk we're shuffling through. So I've decided to focus on the real deal, vintage 70's & early 80's stuff, and am slowly selling off my newer stuff that I now realize I never really liked all that much to begin with. I also find that obtaining a new Mego is just as great now as when I was a kid, but the new toys never really fulfilled my craving the same way. Sure fishing through the pegs nowadays looking for that one figure you need is great fun; just like when I was a kid; but once I find it and buy it, the joy was gone...much unlike Mego Toys which were always cherished.
A sad day indeed for "toy stores" though as I fear they will all soon be completely a memory. Hey, we always have Plaid Stallions' toy store pics though!

[toys2cool]

I've worked for K-B since 1997, part-time for the last 3 years, and I can confirm for you as fact that some stores are indeed closing. The reason there is no public announcement yet is because the info is supposed to be "inside confidential" at this time...of course you know that never happens. So bascially, right now only employees have been informed. There is indeed speculation that they will all be closed at some point next year but no formal announcement as such has been made. My guess is they are using this upcoming Holiday season to rake in some final cash in their remaining stores before they go. In terms of messy stores, in this area Walmart's toy department is disgraceful. A complete mess usually; so bad that you can't even tell what goes where anymore. I'm finding my taste for new toys is waning other than the JLU line anyway.
As with many of us modern toy collectors, I think we are really trying and recapture those wonderful days in the 70's buying our Megos...but the toy industry is so far away from the Mego era now that it's mostly over-produced junk we're shuffling through. So I've decided to focus on the real deal, vintage 70's & early 80's stuff, and am slowly selling off my newer stuff that I now realize I never really liked all that much to begin with. I also find that obtaining a new Mego is just as great now as when I was a kid, but the new toys never really fulfilled my craving the same way. Sure fishing through the pegs nowadays looking for that one figure you need is great fun; just like when I was a kid; but once I find it and buy it, the joy was gone...much unlike Mego Toys which were always cherished.
A sad day indeed for "toy stores" though as I fear they will all soon be completely a memory. Hey, we always have Plaid Stallions' toy store pics though!

LOL! well Lou you've just described every wal-mart toy section I've ever been to

[AcroRay]

I'm a bit disappointed to hear it. My local Kay Bee has always been a treasure-trove of rarer pieces and test market items - like the Godzilla Creation vinyl figures. With them potentially gone, the only remaining options will be K-Mart, Target and WalMart and there will be one less of the few reasons I'd have to visit my local mall.

[Sideshow Spock]

I dug up this story from end of August:

KB Toys plans store closures - 8/31/2007 9:34:00 AM - Playthings (http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6473597.html)

Which mentions about 30 stores will be closing... however, if you clik on the interesting feedback comments alongside the story, it seems there will be a lot more than 30, which fits in with what LOU and others have said here.

I've collected a couple modern toylines in the past 10 yrs, but I haven't recently, and I don't foresee myself doing so in the future. But I'll still be sad to see KB go, if indeed they do. If for nothing else than it gives me a place to walk around in for a bit while my better half is in the dressing room somewhere....

[LOU]

Yes Spock, I think those 30 stores already closed. I do know there will be even more as you suggest. At this point it won't be until after the Holidays I am told. Only time will tell but that's what I am getting from some connections at the home office in Pittsfield.

[Sideshow Spock]

Yup. 150 more at least..

KBs store closings multiply - 10/31/2007 12:17:00 PM - Playthings (http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6496157.html)

[batmanmc]

this is bd. im not happy. but what can you do. jut try to support them. mike

[tmthor]

Yup. 150 more at least..

KBs store closings multiply - 10/31/2007 12:17:00 PM - Playthings (http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6496157.html)

I just heard that the count is at 157 now

[Wee67]

I miss Two Guys :(

[PCofmisfittoys]

i miss circus World...and I hate KB's. When i managed a TRU , I would love seeing their prices and them trying to keep up. They are over priced and terrible selection. The only good KB's i have been to is is the outlet in hilton head, SC where they have all kinds of toys for cheap.
like the suncoasts when they closed...CLOSE them all and let go sort them out.

[Titan4ever]

I miss Two Guys :(

SO TRUE!!! 95% of my original Megos came from Two Guys stores. In fact, I remember with great fondness the last 3 Megos I bought new--Wonder Girl, Aqualad and Kid Flash--at a Two Guys Labor Day sale in the Baltimore area.

Seems now like they were one of the first dominoes to fall in a long line of discount department and toy store closures for me.

I haven't shopped in a KB for years, but it does seem like the options are becoming more and more limited.:ugh_y:

[mego boy CA]

we had a couple close around where i live in nor-cal, but there's still one open a few miles from where i live for now anyways. :yes:

[Titan4ever]

we had a couple close around where i live in nor-cal, but there's still one open a few miles from where i live for now anyways. :yes:

KB closed its stores in Iowa around '02 or '03, so I was already used to thinking they weren't viable from living back in Des Moines. Occasionally, I'd hit one of my brothers up for KB stuff in the Baltimore area where they still had some, but not often. I was surprised to find KBs still doing business when I moved to So Cal late last year, but the stores were pretty empty. I haven't really looked to know what's around in the South Bay area since I moved up here. :juggleyes_y:

[tmthor]

Now you cant even trust the Employee's any More

Store clerk steals customers' credit cards for holiday shopping
BRAINTREE, Mass. -- A toy store clerk was arrested after an investigation into fraudulent credit card activity, said police.

Officials said Angela Dapkas, 22, stole customers' credit cards and went on her own personal holiday shopping spree in the same mall that she worked.

Dapkas, an employee at KB Toys at the South Shore Plaza, was arrested at Lord and Taylor for using two stolen credit cards, said police.

She was already barred from the store for a prior shoplifting incident.

Dapkas was stopped by loss prevention as she exited the store and held for authorities.

Authorities urge customers to make sure they get their credit cards back when shopping.
WHDH-TV - New England News - Store clerk steals customers' credit cards for holiday shopping (http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO67759/)