CLOSURE: Iconic chain store slated to close more locations in Ontario

An iconic chain store is slated to close more locations in Ontario.

At least two more Ontario Toys “R” locations will close, according to multiple news reports.

Court documents show that the Toys “R” Us store at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket will close by March 31.

The company also plans to close the Niagara Pen Centre store in St. Catharines, pending court approval.

The retailer indicated more stores will likely close as it plans to close a “sub-set of underperforming” stores and liquidate their inventory.

There are currently 22 Toys “R” Us stores left in Canada, recent court documents indicate.

The pending closures are the latest of many in Ontario.

Stores in Oakville and Burlington closed in April 2025. Stores in Mississauga, Thornhill, Sudbury and Stoney Creek also closed in 2025.

Toys “R” Us Canada entered creditor protection in early February 2026, with Alvarez & Marsal Canada, and the St. Catharines and Newmarket locations are the first specific locations mentioned.

The company said rising inflation, labour costs and a shift toward e-commerce were the reasons behind the filings.

Unredeemed gift cards totalling $36 million have played havoc with the stores bookkeeping and the company has asked the court to place a time limit on when they can be used.

Originally an American-based company that can trace its roots to 1948, Toys “R” Us has been operating in Canada since 1984 and was considered the largest speciality retailer of toys and baby products in the country.

With files from Steve Pecar

Lead photo: 3steph14