NORTH HAVEN, C.T. -- That's right, the iconic giraffe-toned mega toy retailer is planning a new Toys "R" Us-Babies "R" Us combo at the forthcoming North Haven Commons shopping center along the fledgling Universal Drive shopping district adjacent the I-91 corridor to I-95.
Developer Ripco, whose crafted the siteplan for the under construction North Haven Commons also includes a few new entrants including Best Buy, Petco, and an unleased parcel as major anchors amongst others.
In accordance with the company's plan, many existing Toys "R" Us stores, most of which who haven't received any significant remodels in over 15+ years, have since undergone a campaign to reformat under the guise of CEO Storch and his fresh marketing campaign with hopes to rebound the once dominant toy retailer to suit a branding combination following the success of the chain's sister Babies "R" Us brand.
TOYS "R" US IN AUBURN, MASS. FEATURING NEW COMPANY IMAGE AND NEW "R" LOGO
Other long-time stores as well as new ones currently up for the transformation include a veteran location in Manchester, NH, which is currently enduring its third remodel since its 1982 opening into a hybrid location.
The Caldor Rainbow has since swooped up a couple locations in Ohio; one wonderfully preserved store in Boardman-Youngstown and a white-clad repaint in St. Clairsville, both still largely time-warped, still shadowing the chain's iconic look from the 80's with brown ripple-roofs and multi-colored striped exteriors like one we've tirelessly promoted here in the past in Clay, N.Y.
Though no stores have made the current generation remodel in Connecticut, changes are expected to make their play inevitably. The market has been golden for the chain in our state, who saw little to no closures since the chain entered the Connecticut market. Apart from a bygone East Haven location, a relocated Waterbury one and one such in Westport, which closed earlier this year, will likely rebound with the coming of the new North Haven store -- with the possibility of a 12-year old Hamden location getting the ax.
The Hamden Mart, which houses the county's other Toys "R" Us came about in 1996 when Stop & Shop moved out of the plaza. Rumors persist the chain's strategy includes a future with the North Haven store making the forefront, leaving the the Dixwell Ave. location to not renew its lease.
Toys "R" Us currently has 9 locations in Connecticut, Babies "R" Us has 5 all standalone locations making the North Haven store a first in the state as well as becoming the state's tenth location, replacing the late Westport store.
If you haven't already, please check out our in-depth case study of classic stores and Pleasant Family Shopping for an incredible full-color shot of an early 1970s shot of the beloved rainbow-striped glee the chain is classically known for.
12 comments:
good stuff Nick! thanks for the update and new post
Nick - Great post, and thanks for the nod re the Toys R Us and Bradlees posts on my site. You have a wealth of knowledge here and I always enjoy your site and consider it a fantastic resource.
Like I said, there is a real "left behind" Toys R Us in Waco, Texas. I didn't get a picture, but it was open, had rainbow striping (a la Life Savers), and a brown mansard roof. Sweetness!
the vacant major retailer spot was to be Linens and Things but they went bankrupt..
(those that are local, Petco is moving, there won't be one right next to the other)
and to the poster come check out Hamden Mart! The shopping center is getting a full remodel, all of the red overhangs have been removed.
Hi Nick....
I was up in Amherst Mass. today at the Saturday morning farmer's market and noticed that one of the vendors was using old plastic bags with the Bradlee's logo to bag up people's produce. Kinda of funny...
Anyway, though you'd be interested...
--Daniela Altimari
I think it would have been nice to have gotten like a Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Changs or something instead of an Olive Garden!! We need one of those on this side of CT!!!
I would have liked to see a Carrabba's restaurant instead of an Olive Garden. They have them in on Long Island.
do we know when the Babies R Us/Toys R Us in North Haven will be opening?
Ripco did NOT develop this. They are merely the listing agent. It was developed by Doug Gray's Eclipse Development Group out of California.
More info on the site and Eclipse can be found at:
http://www.ctbrownfields.com/News/newsView.asp?NewsId=26
"Toys" R "Us is the best!!
What remarkable post! I think getting a bit of experience behind you writing for student magazines and websites is probably a good idea as well, just to familiarise yourself with what might be expected of you.
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