Toys R Us to close 180 stores, including 3 in Pittsburgh area

The latest big-box store has announced massive closures across the country.

Toys R Us is planning to close 180 stores nationwide, including some in the Pittsburgh area, in an attempt to restructure the company and emerge from bankruptcy protection, CNBC reports.

Although they still need court approval, the company plans to close the following Pittsburgh-area locations:

• 2003 Cheryl Drive, Ross Park Mall, PA
• 301 Oakspring Road, Washington, PA
• 18 Valley View Drive, Beaver Valley, Monaca, PA

The Babies R Us location at 3700 William Penn Highway in Monroeville is also closing its doors.  The Toys R Us location will remain open.

Competition from Amazon and other stores such as Target and Walmart contributed to trouble for Toys R Us.

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The company filed for bankruptcy protection in September and the CEO hopes to come out of those proceedings by closing about one-fifth of its U.S. stores.

Channel 11 talked with shoppers at the Washington location who said it’s not shocking considering how easy it is to buy toys and products online.  But they said it is disappointing.

“I took my grandchildren, as a matter of fact, we were at Toys R Us twice yesterday, we went to Toys R Us, went to buy shoes, and went back to Toys R Us and they had a great time.  Sad, it's very sad to hear that they're closing, that's, my kids grew up with a Toys R Us,” shopper Pam Haldeman said.

Employees and supervisors wouldn't comment on the closure.

"The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus," Dave Brandon, Toys R Us chairman and CEO, said in a letter posted on the company's website. "To that end and following a top-to-bottom assessment of our business, we have decided to close a number of our U.S. stores. We also intend to convert a number of locations into co-branded Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us stores. The actions we are taking are necessary to give us the best chance to emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings as a more viable and competitive company that will provide the level of service and experience you should expect from a market leader."

CNBC reports the stores will start closing next month, and the shutdowns will continue through April.

Cox Media Group