Kitchener Toys R Us - Up for sale

[Wingers19]

Kitchener Toys R Us store up for sale.

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2025/11/25...-for-sale/

[bravado]

We should start the timers now for how long this property next to gigantic public transit infrastructure stays empty before someone thinks about changing the zoning for better uses...

Sad to see a childhood icon go away, but not a surprise with the state of the big box industry in 2025.

[ZEBuilder]

We should start the timers now for how long this property next to gigantic public transit infrastructure stays empty before someone thinks about changing the zoning for better uses...

Sad to see a childhood icon go away, but not a surprise with the state of the big box industry in 2025.

The zoning is already changed because of Growing Together East, if I recall correctly it's SGA-4 which allows for unlimited height.

[danbrotherston]

Ha, I remember going to that store by the tram in 2020 just before the pandemic started. The stroad separating it from transit though, means any development there will be inherently diminished.

[neonjoe]

Considering the size and format of their location in Stone Road Mall Guelph location if they are still viable there's now a free box across the street with more pedestrian traffic that could be a fit.
It's kind of odd that our Canadian version survived while the US one went under and now ToysRUs is making a resurgence in the states and our version is shedding locations. (Albeit the US ones are also smaller format)

[plam]

Considering the size and format of their location in Stone Road Mall Guelph location if they are still viable there's now a free box across the street with more pedestrian traffic that could be a fit.
It's kind of odd that our Canadian version survived while the US one went under and now ToysRUs is making a resurgence in the states and our version is shedding locations. (Albeit the US ones are also smaller format)

Private equity hollowed out the US Toys R Us and extracted the money from the corporation, leaving a husk. In particular I believe they bought the chain, sold off the real estate, and saddled the stores with exorbitant rent costs.

[danbrotherston]

As private equity does.