CLOSURE: Major retailer shutting down two more Ontario locations

The downsizing of Toys R Us continues as two more Ontario locations will disappear by the end of April.

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

The company has operated independently from its American counterpart since 2018.

Stores that have just announced closings are in Oakville and Burlington.

Currently across the country there are 81 stores but last year it was announced that locations in Mississauga, Stoney Creek, London, Thornhill and Sudbury would be shut down.

The announcement of the impending closures in Halton Region caught many be surprise.

“I can’t believe it, been shopping there for years first for my kids and now my grandkids,” said one commentator on a Burlington Facebook chat group.

Other commented that the fate of the stores seemed inevitable as shoppers increasingly make their purchases online line.

The Oakville location is at 290 North Service Road West at the Dorvale Crossing Plaza.

In Burlington it is at 3051 Appleby Line in Appleby Square.

A worker at the Oakville location said staff had a feeling that a closure was coming but still shocked when they got the news.

“This was a good location and we had a long run,” the worker told INsauga.com. “But nothing lasts forever. We all pretty said about it though. The customers have been great over the years.”

Some thought the stores were gearing up to compete again with the addition of HMV music departments installed at some locations. But it wasn’t enough to ward off the inevitable.

“I better get in there and use up out gift cards,” said another Facebook user. “When they start reducing the prices things will go fast.”