Who’s Trying to Replace Closed ‘Toys R Us’ Locations In Michigan

Hundreds of Toys R’ Us stores closed in the United States in 2018, one of the most high-profile casualties of the so-called “retail apocalypse.” Now the question is which retailers will replace all those empty stores left behind by the once iconic toy chain.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Hobby Lobby is a big player in the game. Burlington Stores Inc. and TJX Co., which owns stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, are also among the retailers expected to take over those empty stores.

Here are 17 Toys R’ Us stores that closed in Michigan in 2018, now up for grabs:

• Southgate, 14333 Eureka Rd.
• Ann Arbor, 3725 Washtenaw Ave.
• Westland, 34800 Warren Rd.
• Livonia, 29150 W Seven Mile Rd.
• Madison Heights, 32700 John R Rd.
• Roseville, 32070 Gratiot Ave.
• Sterling Heights, 13801 Lakeside Cir.
• Pontiac, 220 N Telegraph Rd.
• Novi, 43460 W Oaks Dr.
• Auburn Hills, Great Lakes Crossing, 4526 Baldwin Rd.
• Flint, 3250 S Linden Rd, Flint.
• Birch Run, 12150 S Beyer Rd.
• Jackson, 1038 Jackson Crossing.
• Okemos, 1705 West Newman Rd.
• Saginaw, 2800 Tittabawassee Rd.
• Portage, 6207 S Westnedge Ave.
• Grand Rapids, 3445 28th St SE, Grand Rapids.

Conor Flynn, CEO of Kimco Realty Corporation, said at a consumer conference in June that many of the larger big-box storefronts will be taken up by Hobby Lobby, according to the Journal. Kimco has interests in about 475 shopping centers.

According to the Journal, Flynn said off-price retailers, fitness centers and specialty grocers are likely to go after the Toys R’ Us stores that are about 35,000 square feet each. The smaller stores, that are 20,000-25,000 square feet, are more suited for retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Flynn said, per the Journal.

In 2018, the number of announced U.S. store closures stands at 4,146, according to Fung Global, which tracks store opening and closures in the U.S. The number of announced store openings in the U.S. is 2,042. In the latest store closure news, Sears said it would close 10 more stores with liquidation sales expected to begin as early as July 13, according to Fung Global.

Who would you like to see replace the empty Toys R’ Us stores in Michigan?

Image via Shutterstock

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