The holiday shopping season is right around the corner, and children of the ’80s and ’90s in the Chicago area will get the opportunity to relive some memories as an iconic toy chain is opening their first standalone store at a suburban mall.
After a few holiday seasons of solely existing inside Macy's store, iconic toy brand Toys "R" Us is reopening standalone brick-and-mortar stores once again, with a suburban Chicago mall garnering one of the first locations.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, Toys "R" Us will open a 10,000 square-foot store at the Harlem Irving Plaza, located in Norridge.
The opening follows a tumultuous past several years for the chain that included bankruptcy in 2018 and the arrival of Macy's pop-ups nationwide in 2022.
Toys "R" Us plans to open up to 24 flagship standalone stores under current plans.
As for the Norridge location, Saturday's grand opening celebrations will include in-store activities, face-painting, balloon twisting, swag bags, giveaways and more, according to a press release.
The celebration, which is open to the public, begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with a ribbon cutting at the store, located at 4104 N. Harlem Ave., featuring Geoffrey the Giraffe.
According to the release, the new store is a "modern retail concept" with an immersive shopping experience featuring popular toys and brands like LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Nerf, Paw Patrol and more.
Local
In addition to pop-ups inside Macys, the new store joins a Toys "R" Us at Mall of America, a store in New Jersey at American Dream megamall, and a store inside the Dallas Fort Worth Airport.
Earlier this year, children's' clothing and gear store Babies "R"' Us, which also went out of business in 2018, announced it would open 200 stores across the country inside Kohl's Department stores.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
