A childhood staple for many is disappearing from Saskatchewan as Toys “R” Us prepares to close its stores as part of a wave of shutdowns across Canada.
Signs at both the Regina and Saskatoon locations read: “This store is closing. Everything must go.”
The closing sale is drawing shoppers, including Kiondyn Checkosis, who visited the Saskatoon store as a child and is now shopping for the next generation.
“I want to try to pick up something for my daughter and then maybe for my new one coming soon,” Checkosis said, noting he has a baby on the way.
The Saskatoon store has been open for more than 30 years and is the latest major retailer to leave the downtown core, following the closure of Hudson’s Bay at Midtown last year.
“Whenever there’s a closure of any kind, big or small, especially in our district, it is a little sad to see them go,” said Shawna Nelson, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District.
In Regina, the Toys “R” Us building at 730 Albert St. is listed for sale, according to an online posting by Toronto-based Urban Reform Realty Inc.
Jason Aebig, chief executive officer of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, said the closure reflects broader retail trends.
“The popularity of online retail shopping for some products [like toys, games and baby products], the availability of these products from suppliers around the world, and the price sensitivity of young parents who face a budget crunch at that stage of their lives,” Aebig wrote in a statement.
CTV News reached out to Toys “R” Us for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
On its website, Toys “R” Us says it is making improvements and that online shopping is temporarily unavailable.
As reported by The Canadian Press, court records show six toy suppliers, including the makers of Paw Patrol and Gabby’s Dollhouse toys, filed lawsuits against Toys “R” Us last year seeking payment for alleged unpaid merchandise.
The lawsuits collectively seek more than $4 million and point to ongoing financial strain at Toys “R” Us Canada.
The retailer has closed several stores in recent months and is also facing at least $31.3 million in lawsuits from landlords over alleged unpaid rent.
In court filings, Toys “R” Us Canada has largely denied the allegations and challenged the amounts being claimed.
With files from The Canadian Press
