Toys "R" Us, the beloved toy retailer, is expanding its presence with a new standalone store scheduled to open at the Northridge Fashion Center in the San Fernando Valley in fall 2026. The announcement has generated considerable excitement and nostalgia online.
A sign indicating the upcoming opening was spotted in front of a vacant Sephora storefront at the mall. This new location will be situated on the second level of the shopping center, near other retailers like Foot Locker and Sephora. While Toys "R" Us currently operates a smaller outpost within the Northridge Fashion Center's Macy's department store, this new venture represents a distinct, larger space.
Retailer's Evolving Footprint
The planned opening comes after a turbulent period for the toy giant. Toys "R" Us closed all of its U.S. locations in 2018 following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2017. The company attempted a comeback with new stores in New Jersey and Texas in 2019, but these locations were shuttered again in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late 2021, after being acquired by WHP Global, Toys "R" Us partnered with Macy's to establish in-store shops across the department store's U.S. locations. The brand also maintains several other standalone flagship stores nationwide, including at the Camarillo Premium Outlets in California, the Mall of America in Minnesota, and the American Dream Mall in New Jersey.
The news of the Northridge store opening has elicited a strong reaction from fans. Many expressed a desire for nostalgic elements within the new store, hoping to relive childhood memories. Others commented on the changing nature of the brand, noting that it might not fully replicate the experience of the original stores.