Toys R Us, squeezed by Amazon.com and huge chains like Walmart, is planning to close a half dozen stores in the Philadelphia region as part of its bankruptcy reorganization plans.
The Wayne, New Jersey-based retailer filed court papers late Tuesday outlining its plans to close 20 percent of its stores (around 180 across the United States) in the coming months.
In the greater Philadelphia region, Toy R Us stores in Burlington and Dover; Babies R Us only stores in Cherry Hill, Exton and Phillipsburg; and a Toys R Us/Babies R Us store in Horsham are set to close.
In addition to closing stores, the company intends to convert a number of locations into combined Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores. The closures still need court approval.
Going-out-of-business sales are slated to begin in February with closures continuing through mid-April, Toys R Us Chief Executive Dave Brandon said in a letter posted on the company's website Tuesday night.
"Our primary focus is on reimagining our business with you in mind," Brandon said.
Hobbled by $5 billion in debt, the company that once dominated toy sales in the U.S. filed for bankruptcy protection in September, citing increased competition and a shift in customers moving away from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to shopping online for the decision to shutter the stores.
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"The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus," Brandon said.
The company noted that some closings may be avoided if it is able to negotiate more favorable lease terms. But most of the stores listed in the documents are expected to close as Toys R Us tries to reinvent itself as a leaner, smarter retailer.
See the list for all Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware locations below:
DELAWARE
Dover: 1061 N. Dupont Highway
NEW JERSEY
Phillipsburg: 1280 Rt. 22 & St. James Ave.
Eatontown: 137 Route 35
Bridgewater: 100 Promenade Blvd.
Union: 2700 Route 22 East.
North Brunswick: 909 US Hwy 1 South.
Burlington Rt. 541 & Cadillac Road
Cherry Hill: 2135 Route 38
Wayne: 7 Wayne Hills Mall
Paramus: 545 Route 17 South
East Hanover: 98 Route 10 West.
Elizabeth: Kids World 900 Center Drive
Mt. Olive: 50 International Drive South.
PENNSYLVANIA
Horsham: 100 Welsh Road
Erie: 6680 Peach St.
Monroeville: 3700 William Penn Highway
Exton: 104 Bartlett Ave.
Ross Park Mall: 2003 Cheryl Dr.
Washington: 301 Oakspring Road
Beaver Valley: Route 18/Valley View Dr.
