WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A beloved toy retailer is making a comeback in Lehigh County.
A new Toys “R” Us store is tentatively set to open on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, a mall spokesperson told 69 News.
The space, on the mall’s upper level near the escalators, previously housed Aerie, which recently expanded with a larger Aerie/OFFLINE by Aerie store next door.
A new Toys “R” Us store is coming soon to the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
The new Toys “R” Us store will be a seasonal holiday shop, operating through early 2027.
On its website, Go! Retail Group announced that it is “thrilled to bring the magic of Toys ‘R’ Us back to families across America.”
The company has opened dozens of flagship Toys “R” Us stores and holiday shops across the country, including another holiday shop in King of Prussia, Montgomery County, with many more locations launching soon.
“From interactive play zones to exclusive Geoffrey meet-and-greets, each store is designed to create unforgettable toy shopping experiences,” the online message continues. “Visit a store near you or check back often as we continue our nationwide expansion!”
Toys “R” Us, a global leader in the toy category celebrating the joys of childhood and play with kids of all ages for more than 70 years, closed more than 700 stores after filing for bankruptcy in 2017.
A new Toys “R” Us store is coming soon to the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
A former Toys “R” Us store at 955 Grape St. in Whitehall closed in 2018.
Today, the brand generates more than $2 billion in global retail sales annually through more than 1,500 stores and e-commerce businesses in 35 countries, according to a company description.
In 2022, Toys “R” Us-branded “shop-in-shop” locations rolled out in more than 400 Macy’s stores nationwide, including the Macy’s store at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
Toys “R” Us is owned by WHP Global, a leading brand management firm with a portfolio of consumer brands that generate over $7 billion in retail sales.
On Sept. 17, Toys “R” Us announced a major U.S. retail expansion, with 120 standalone Toys “R” Us stores opening across the country this holiday season in partnership with Go! Retail Group.
Toys”R”Us flagship store. Image courtesy of Go! Retail Group.
By Toys”R”Us
“Together with our incredible partners, we are growing Toys ‘R’ Us in unique ways to meet customers wherever they are, whether that’s at a standalone store in their hometown, inside Macy’s, at the airport or at a Navy Exchange,” said Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys “R” Us at WHP Global, in the release.
“Toys ‘R’ Us has always been a place for discovery, and we’re building on that legacy by bringing customers the hottest toys, biggest trends and experiences that make the brand unlike any other.”
The new standalone stores will feature a curated selection of the season’s hottest toys, collectibles, and “must-have gifts from the world’s most popular toy brands and latest movies,” including LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokémon, KPop Demon Hunters, and more, the release states.
“This holiday season represents an extraordinary expansion for Toys ‘R’ Us in the U.S., and we couldn’t be more excited to bring the magic of Toys ‘R’ Us to so many communities across the country,” added Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group.
“There’s something special about walking into a Toys ‘R’ Us store, especially during the holidays — the excitement of discovering the hottest toys, seeing favorite brands and characters come to life, and finding that perfect gift.”