When K B Toys stores closed earlier this year, I thought there would be NO toy store in Center City. The thought saddened me although I had adjusted and did any local shopping at one of the 3 remaining Toys R Us stores or one of the Walmarts or Targets. But no dedicated toy store ... sigh. Well, it seems that Center City will have a dedicated toy store after all this holiday season. Welcome to Toys R Us Express!
These Express stores will operate as the K B Toys Express stores did. The store is decidedly a mini store: stock is limited to basic lines (no Collectors' Edition Barbies sighted). However, I noticed two - new to me - Toys R Us Exclusives: a 12" Joker and a Disney Princess Snow White AND Prince. NEW GUYS!!! Photos provided below:
Online Joker link
Online Snow White giftset link
Toys R Us Store Locator information:
TOYS"R"US - PHILADELPHIA [6678]
9TH + MARKET STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107
Phone: Not provided
Hours:
Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm
Mon-Thu 10:00am-7:00pm
Fri 10:00am-8:00pm
Sat10:00am-7:00pm
HOLIDAY EXPRESS (only open until the end of December 2009 per South Philly associate)
Locals: this Gallery TRU is located in the spot previously occupied by CVS drugstore, across from the location for the K B Toys Store. Note: visitors to the area, the toy store is inside the Gallery, on the lower level. There are no signs outside or indications that Toys R Us is inside the building.
It seems that there will be Holiday Express stores also in Springfield and in Franklin Mills Mall. I assume that this is a temporary extra location for Franklin Mills Mall. Locals affected by the closure of the Springfield Toys R Us will now have a local spot at least during this holiday season.