Zayre, Circus World, Alan's Toyland, GC Murphy, Woolworth, Hills, K&K toys, Dahlkemper, and my favorite, Children's Palace.. along with a dozen or so Mom and Pop type shops were all out of business by the time I graduated back in 1989. I got to work for TRU for about 7 years. They treated people well and did a good job with visual merchandise. The backroom/in store warehouse was in some ways ahead of its time. Very effectively run. Tomax & Xamot two pack was the best thrill I can recall pulling off their shelves. I hope Bryce is right and things will go on. As a kid my dad had to use imagination to believe grape seeds were Army men and peach pits were tanks. Nobody, I am afraid will win this unfolding trade war. I blame all manufacturers for not producing at least some products domestically and with our Mexican and Canadian neighbors/brothers and sisters. More than retailers the Toy companies themselves are few in number and there are so many holes and gaps with most themes offered based on violence. Damn shame really, I blame internet focus as being a vortex of control in many obvious and non obvious ways. It's like a blackhole, at times. RIP
I went into my local TRU when on the way home from dinner last week. We were already next door, so I figured what the hell. They still had a "We're Hiring!" sign on the outside of the store which made me giggle. I noticed pretty much what I have already read elsewhere on the internet. The store looked like a mess, it seemed everyone there has totally given up. The sign outside the store said up to 30% off which I think is bad for a liquidation sale, and is probably why it seemed like the store still had full stock. I know a fair amount about LEGO so I went to the LEGO section. TRU already prices Lego ABOVE retail price (go figure!?) so the massive 5% discount they offered on LEGO doesn't even get them back down to retail price level. I can't say this is an example of why they failed, but it certainly can't help.
