The Retroist

The Retroist

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
My final trip to Toys R Us
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
User's avatar
Discover more from The Retroist
A Retro Podcast, Blog, and Newsletter.
Over 3,000 subscribers
Already have an account? Sign in

My final trip to Toys R Us

Retroist's avatar
Retroist
Mar 27, 2018
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
My final trip to Toys R Us
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

I was not sure if I was going to go to Toys R Us before it closed. Part of me wanted to not taint the good memories I had of the store. But another part of me was curious to see what was going on during these last days at the biggest toy store there is. So I took a trip up to Everett, WA and checked out their Toys R Us.

As you can see in the above shot, this is not one of the classic store designs. So already it was a little easier to approach. What I found when I went inside, though, still managed to bring me down.

This Toys R Us was filled with bargain hunters. People who looked to be grabbing as much as they could. I assume many of them were doing some early Christmas shopping. Hoping to snag some deals to pad out the presents under the tree. Smart move. Others had brought their kids along for the trip, and those kids were just tossing anything they could find into carts.

The place looked like it had been hit by a hurricane. Aisle after aisle was completely empty. Whole departments were cleared out. Yet it was not empty enough to be at the part where people buying the fixtures dominated the scene.

Some treasures still lingered. Like this cool race car bed. I wanted one of these so badly when I was a kid.

While some areas were completely picked clean.

Other areas were still very well-stocked. Like these Fast and the Furious toys. I don’t think a single person had touched them during the entire store closing.

Or Alvin and the Chipmunks toys.

I poked around both of these toys collections. This was my first time seeing either of them. After careful consideration, I decided to pass on them.

While walking away, I wondered how low would the price have to drop before someone bought them? What kid is going to open their Christmas presents next year and stare at 100 Fast and the Furious cars?

I am glad I went to check out these last days of Toys R Us, and I encourage everyone to do the same. I walked the aisles, trying hard to force myself to remember what it was like when I was a kid. But so much about the store had changed, that it was difficult. Then I saw a group of kids at the Funko Pop section begging their parents to buy them what was left, that brought me back. The toys might change, but the joy that toys and places that sell them will always be the same. So goodbye Toys R Us. Thanks for making so many kids happy.

As for those Funko kids? I hope they like Son of Zorn and Westworld.


Subscribe to The Retroist

Launched 4 years ago
A Retro Podcast, Blog, and Newsletter.
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
My final trip to Toys R Us
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Discussion about this post

User's avatar
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Did you ever find a quarter painted red and wonder if that red served a purpose? It does.
Feb 11, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
45

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
6
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Unless you lived in the 1930s or are a fan of vintage comic strips you might not be aware of the attempted Mickey Mouse suicide.
Aug 30, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
9

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Remember when you were a kid, and you would were out roughhousing with your friends.
Oct 23, 2019 â€¢ 
Retroist
4

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2

Ready for more?

© 2025 Retroist
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Create your profile

User's avatar

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.