Toys R Us to open two new stores this year

Toys R Us plans to open two new “reimagined” stores under its new parent company, Tru Kids Brands, in Texas and New Jersey ahead of the holiday season.

The company’s Thursday announcement follows the retailer closing all locations last year. 

Tru Kids is partnering with the startup b8ta to launch the first two new stores in The Galleria in Houston, Texas, and in Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J. {mosads}

The first two locations, at about 6,500 square feet, will be smaller than the original Toys R Us shops, The Associated Press reports. 

Tru Kids CEO Richard Barry, a former Toys R Us executive, told the AP that the stores opening later will be about 10,000 square feet. 

Tru Kids said it plans to open additional locations over the course of 2020. 

The brand plans to prioritize hiring former Toys R Us employees, AP reports.

Barry told the outlet an online experience will follow after the stores are launched. 

“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,” Barry said in the company release. “We have an incredible opportunity to entirely reimagine the Toys“R”Us brand in the U.S.”