Toys 'R' Us Is Coming Back To Houston In Time For Christmas

HOUSTON, TX — Toys 'R'Us, the toy store American children loved for decades, is making a comeback and plans to open an new store in the Houston Galleria just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Richard Barry, a former Toys R Us executive and now CEO of Tru Kids Brands, said Toys 'R' Us will open two stores with the second located in Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersery.

Barry said an online experience will follow, adding that brand partners and more details of what's next for the former toy store giant will be announced in coming weeks.

"With a 70-year heritage, the Toys 'R' Us brand is beloved by kids and families around the world, and continues to play a leading role in the hearts and minds of today's consumers," said Barry. "We have an incredible opportunity to entirely reimagine the Toys 'R' Us brand in the U.S. and are thrilled to partner with b8ta and key toy vendors to create a new, highly-engaging retail experience designed for kids, families and to better fit within today's retail environment."

The move comes two years after Toys 'R' Us filed for bankruptcy and a year after closing 735 U.S. stores. However, the brand continues to operate outside the U.S. with more than 800 stores worldwide.

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The new venture with the same name will use a bit of a different retail model through a partnership with b8ta, incorporating a more interactive experience for parents and kids.

"As a kid, my memory of Toys 'R' Us was running up and down the aisles kicking balls and playing with the coolest toys," said Phillip Raub, co-founder and president of b8ta and Interim co-CEO of the Toys"R"Us joint venture. "As the retail landscape changes, so do consumer shopping habits. But what hasn't changed is that kids want to touch everything and simply play. In partnership with Richard and his team, we are excited to bring back Toys 'R' Us in an immersive way, focused on creating a fun and engaging experience for kids—and adults, too."

Tru Kids Brands is working on licensing agreements to open 70 new stores in Asia, Europe, and India, KTRK reported.

New Jersey Patch Editor Tom Davis contributed to this report