Toys R Us Is Back In Illinois 8 Years After Shutting Down

For some of us, this move will bring a sense of nostalgia, but for those who came along after the company-wide shutdown a few years back, Toys R Us is going to be a brand-new thing that they're going to want to check out.

Geoffrey the Giraffe apparently decided that forced retirement just wasn't for him, because Toys R Us is making a comeback and opening new stores across the country, including a new location right here in Illinois.

If you're old enough to remember the excitement of walking into a Toys R Us store as a kid, this news might bring back a few memories. And if you have children or grandchildren who have never experienced the place, well, they're about to find out what all the fuss was about.

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Toys R Us Is Planning To Open 120 New Standalone Stores Across The Nation This Fall

That would bring their total number of standalone American locations to 160 in time for the 2026 holiday shopping season. The expansion is happening through a partnership with Go! Retail Group. According to Patch.com, the move comes eight years after the retailer closed its Illinois stores during its nationwide liquidation in 2018.

And yes, Illinois is getting in on the action.

According to the Chicago Tribune, a new Toys R Us store is scheduled to open in early October at Yorktown Center in Lombard. The approximately 7,500-square-foot store will occupy space on the lower level of the mall's JCPenney wing.

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So, What Can You Expect? Will Things Be Like They Used To Be At Toys R Us?

The new locations are expected to feature a selection of seasonal toys, collectibles and gifts, including merchandise from familiar brands and entertainment franchises. Some locations will also include candy shops, cafés and special Creator Studios, where toy brands and content creators can film videos, unveil products and host events.

Illinois is also getting Creator Studios at Gurnee Mills, Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora and White Oaks Mall in Springfield, with those spaces scheduled to open October 1st, according to Patch.

Of course, this isn't quite the same Toys R Us that many of us remember. The company has been rebuilding its American presence through smaller stores, Macy's partnerships and other retail locations since its bankruptcy and liquidation.

Still, there's something undeniably nostalgic about seeing that familiar name return to shopping malls. It might give some shoppers the idea of returning to a mall again after a long time of staying away.