Sure missing TRU and other toy stores this time of year

[acrovader]

Strolling down the toy aisles of Target/Meijer/etc. I get nothing but a feeble assortment of 'action figures'. I know it has been that way for a long time now, but I really miss that period of yesteryear where EVERY PLACE was selling action figures, not just hobby shops, but department stores, hardware stores, at shopping malls, and places like Toys R Us- Children's Palace, etc.

But really hits me the hardest is the recent demise of TRU. Lots of happy memories there. Especially concerning this time of year. Even as an adult, while there wasn't anything that would no longer appeal to me, I loved strolling down the toy aisles and browsing at all the stuff.

I doubt if there will ever be a resurgence of such places..

[Werewolf]

I am really missing Toys R Us. The Walmarts here suck. Christmas without TRU is kind of depressing.

[LordMudd]

Action figures will never go away, and neither will collectors. The problem is the connection between them. That connecting mechanism is changing, evolving, and sometimes change can be painful, slow, and tedious. The old connection is breaking down and a new one needs to form to replace it. The question is what form that new connection will take. Some say it will be the internet. I do not have faith in the internet to accomplish that. Action figures are a tactile toy, and they will require a tactile form of distribution to be successful. Personally, I am looing at technology, specifically a combination of vending machines and 3D printers to eventually fill that void and satisfy the instant gratification society that the marketing and advertising industry has created. I don't want to order it and then wait days or weeks for it to arrive. I want to walk up to it, inspect it to determine for myself that it meets my standards and that I really want it, and immediately walk home with it...GRATIFIED!


CCC.

[Werewolf]

Toys R Us didn't go down because of poor sales or competition. Toys R Us was taken out by private equity burying them in debt.

[PNGwynne]

I passed my old store last Saturday while Christmas shopping. What a pang of melancholy nostalgia I felt. I bought a lot of Imaginext at TRU.

[EmergencyIan]

I mentioned before that FAO Schwartz did reopen in Manhattan, but in Rockefeller Center. That’s one good thing on the toy store front, though it really doesn’t mean anything unless you live in the NYC area.

Was anymore ever said about Kay-Bee reopening?

By the way, a Manhattan has, at least, 3 independent toy stores. Out of curiosity, do your cities or towns have any independent toy stores?

- Ian

[noelani72]

it certainly has been depressing for sure...there is no substitute. I grew up with K-Mart and the likes...but when I had kids we did the TRU thing. Seven isles in a big chain store is not the same, but I guess that's how I grew up and I'm fine. Err, wait...I am 46 and hoarding a doll collection...awe ohhh. lol

[palitoy]

I've been visiting our local TRU a lot more now just because I'm happy we still have one.

[EMCE Hammer]

I've been visiting our local TRU a lot more now just because I'm happy we still have one.

Bob and Doug Mckenzie *and* TRU.

Take off.

[favoritemonsters]

My grandaughters birthday is today and Grandma and I always took the grandkids to Toys R Us.
It's not the same experience for them if we take them to Walmart...

[Wee67]

Aahh, Kiddie City. We'll always have Old Lincoln Highway.

[TrekStar]

Child Worlds and Kresges

[EmergencyIan]

Child Worlds and Kresges

Child’s World/Children’s Palace were the best toy stores I’ve ever been in. Loved them!

One that I thought was up there with those was called The Toy Chest. It was in St. Louis. I think it was part of a chain, but I’m not certain. It may have been local to the St Louis area. It was huge like Child’s World/Children’s Palace.

- Ian

[jwyblejr]

Though not toy stores,I miss Ames and Zayers. Especially around the holidays when both would be open 24 hours back when it wasn't something done all the time.

[cjefferys]

I seriously miss Child's World. Man, the clearance sales they had in the late 80's were epic!