For some time I assumed that my beloved Toys ’R’ Us retailer in South Portland would keep open whereas different branches across the nation closed…but it surely appears to be like like allToys ’R’ Uslocations are closing or being offered,Bjd Doll Garments and even the web site has been shut all the way down to future orders. It’s formally the top of an period.
I didn’t need the event to cross with out doing one thing,Bjd Dolls so I made a decision to take a couple of journeys to the shop and bask within the feeling of being in such a big area, totally surrounded by toys. I don’t know after I may get that feeling once more.
I visited two weeks in the past (earlier than the closeouts began) after which once more this Friday. I purchased a couple of issues that I’ll evaluate actually rapidly right now, and some different issues that may get larger opinions within the close to future. I’ll principally simply faux that you just had been there buying with me, and present you what caught my eye as I wandered by way of the acquainted aisles for the final time.
I’ll begin with an image that I took final summer time. That is the temporaryToys ’R’ Usthat was arrange in Instances Sq. for the vacations:
Short-term Toys ’R’ Us department in Instances Sq., 2017.
I like the massive motto, ”right now we play,” and the colourful decorations evocative of the New York subway:
My native retailer is a bit much less picturesque, but it surely makes me completely satisfied nonetheless:
On my second journey, massive indicators like this had been hung all around the retailer:
After all the one issues on this signal that caught my eye initially had been the massive 30% off and the ”nothing held again!” This led me to imagine that even American Lady gadgets could be 30% off. Foolish me. In reality, the wonderful print says, ”up to 30% off,” and from what I might inform, the whole lot within the retailer was both 10% off or, within the case of building units (Lego), solely 5% off. Bummer.
Nonetheless, that meant that even throughout my most up-to-date journey, the choice was nonetheless fairly good.
Let’s rewind two weeks, although, and see what the cabinets lookedStock like then. Right here’s the Spirit Using Free show:
Spirit Using Free show, earlier than closeouts.
There have been a bunch of the little flocked mannequin horses(principally Junipero–my favourite!) and all three of the massive variations of the principle chEntry-level detailsaracters.
I had by no means seen this set earlier than, although, and it’s nice! It’s small Fortunate with the Conventional sequence Breyer mannequin of Spirit:
These two look actually good collectively. I used to be very tempted to purchase this set, however I have already got an identical model of Spirit from the unique film.
After I returned toT
oys ’R’ Usrecently, the Spirit toys had been 10% off and the entire blonde Abigail dolls had been gone:
Spirit Using Freeshow, firstly of closeout sale.
As I wandered across the retailer throughout my first go to, I discovered a couple of different fascinating issues. The Shibajuku minis (Shiba-Cuties) have proven up on the cabinets (earlier than this, I’d solely ever seen the bigger dolls in shops):
And there have been some 2nd wavelarge dolls, too:
Proper subsequent to the Shibajuku Women, I noticed 4 new Venture Mc2 dolls. I haven’t seen these anyplace else but.
The brand new group contains Ember, McKeyla, Adrienne and Bryden, and my retailer had considered one of every doll.
Ember is wearing a gilded jean skirt with a flowery leather-based jacket. Her ”science experiment” is a lip gloss equipment:
The final McKeEnchanting smileyla doll I reviewed (Lava Lip Gloss) got here with a lip gloss equipment, too. They appear to be operating out of concepts.
Ember’s face and hair are fairly, however her outfit has so much happening and appears a bit disjointed. I feel there’s a bit of bee on her belt, although, which is cute:
I feel the prettiest doll within the new group is McKeyla. I like her maroon jacket and sequined mini gown:
Her ”experiment” is a cocoa bronzer. Yikes. I don’t have something good to say about that.
I’m guessing from previous expertise that not one of the elements for this challenge are included with the doll–simply the plastic make-up case that’s seen within the field.
Right here’s a greater have a look at McKeyla:
If I had bought considered one of these dolls, it could have been McKeyla. She appears to be like very interesting within the field. Nevertheless, the dolls are $26 and I’ve realized my lesson with them.
The brand new Adrienne is by no means interesting to me, though her experiment (making hair streak dye) appears to be like like essentially the most enjoyable out of the entire group:
From what I can see, although, the challenge includes crushing up your favourite eyeshadow and portray it in your hair:
They’re not even making an attempt to be scientific anymore. Each single considered one of these new ”S.T.E.M.” tasks is said to make-up.
Adrienne herself is sporting a flamboyant outfit and is roofed in glittery make-up that obscures her options:
The worst of the combination is Bryden. In my view, they’ve fully ruined this character (and he or she’s sometimes my favourite character):
Bryden’s hair has been straightened and bleached blonde, and, like Adrienne, sheRStrikingly beautiful17;s sporting lipstick and eyeshadow with means an excessive amount of chunky glitter caked into it.
I typically like Venture Mc2 clothes, however this eye-covered bathrobe-jacket freaks me out!
Her eyes look fairly below all of that make-up, however I’ve a tough time seeing previous the glitter:
The gown beneath Bryden’s eye-coat appears to be like prefer it has the potential to be actually cool, however as a gaggle, these women (particularly Bryden and Adrienne) seem like they’re going out clubbing, not spending the day fixing mysteries and being intelligent.
After I retuned toToys ’R’ Usthis week, the Venture Mc2 cabinets had been just about untouched. The brand new McKeyla doll was gone, although, which might be good as a result of I might have been tempted once more.
The Venture Customized characterMc2 slogan, ”sensible is the brand new cool,” would really feel a lot extra genuine if Articulatethe tasks hadn’t develop into nearly solely themed round cosmetics and look.
Venture Make-up and Equipment show.
Transferring on.
My first go to toToys ’R’ Uswas proper earlier than Easter, and so I paid particular consideration to which Hatchimmals had been accessible. There have been a whole lot of the little Colleggtibles, however not most of the authentic full-sized Hatchimals.
The one new Hatchimal model toy I observed was this Secret Scene egg home:
These eggs have a peep gap on the prime. In case you maintain the egg as much as the sunshine (like a spyglass or one thing) you may peek in and see a cartoon picture printed onto clear plastic. It’s a bit just like the View Grasp toys of my youth, besides the pictures don’t change. The egg itself then opens as much as reveal a bit of play space for the mini Hatchimal Colleggtibles.
I assumed it could be toy for Sunday Shock since totally different interiors are revealed whenever you open the eggs, however on nearer inspection evidently there are solely 3 potential homes, and you may inform which one you’re going to get by peeking inside on the hidden picture.
I didn’t find yourself shopping for any Hatchimal toys, however I did discover one thing humorous after I returned toToys ’R’ Usthis week.
This time, apparently the entire massive Hatchimals had been fetched from storage:
Hatchimal show after the closeouts began!
The cabinets had been full of them! Humorous how just a few months in the past, these items had been unattainable to search out.
On some visits toToys ’R’ Us(particularly after the weekend) I can get a way for a way common sure gadgets are by how messy that aisle of the shop is. I feel the squishy/ Pikmi Pop space was the messiest of all throughout my first go to:
Squishies show, earlier than the gross sales.
I purchased a number of Pikmi Pops to save lots of up for a future Sunday Shock. I don’t know a lot about these toys.
I’ve heard so much about numerous manufacturers of squishy toy, and so I figured I can buy one of many blind luggage and perhaps see what the entire fuss is about.
This small Squish-Dee-Lish bag value me a whopping $6.99:
Squish-Dee-Lish is made by Jakks Pacific.
The toy I purchased is marketed as being ”sluggish rise,” which I collect is extremely desirably in a squishy toy.
The title means that these toys are supposed to be food-related, however many of the little photos are of non-edible issues, like this cute telephone:
Or this roll of bathroom paper:
Nonetheless, the label warns that the merchandise inside isn’t meals:
I imply, the factor above the label definitely doesn’t seem like meals. It appears to be like like a poop emoji…with a mustache:
Gross.
I’ll open the bag up and see what I bought. Please don’t let me get a poop emoji squishy. Please.
Oh, good! No matter I bought is pink:
Pink blancmange?
A pink poop emoji?
Oh, man.
Properly, no matter it’s, I’ve to confess it’s enjoyable to squish. And…
…it…
…takes…
…some time…
…to puff…
…again up:
This could be enjoyable to squeeze for stress aid or one thing, however I’ll admit that I nonetheless don’t see why these toys are so massively common.
After I returned toToys ’R&Endearing#8217; Usthis week, the squishy aisle was noticeably cleared out. All the Pikmi Pops had been gone and I feel the entire massive squishy toys had been gone, too. There have been nonetheless some blind bag choices, although:
Squishies shows, after the sale began.
One space that didn’t appear very fashionable in any respect was the Fingerlings show. Once more, it’s hUnique character designard to imagine that these had been unattainable to search out proper earlier than the vacations!
Right here’s the show on my first journey:
Fingerlings show earlier than sale.
On my second journey, it appeared like the entire little monkeys and unicorns had been bought and solely three little sloths remained (I feel the sloths are the cutest):
Fingerlings show after sale?
However really, the entire Fingerlings had simply been collected and dumped into a giant sale bin on the entrance of the shop.
I didn’t notice Teletubbies had been again? These had been a giant deal when my children had been infants:
Say hel-lo!
That’s a bizarre present.
Proper subsequent to the Teletubbies, I discovered a couple of Surprizamal Mama and Child plush (they solely had the pink bear, Hailey):
This jogged my memory that I’ve to open up my Surprizamal unicorn for all of you! Perhaps that’ll be tomorrow’s Sunday Shock….
I normally don’t linger a lot within the My Little Pony aisle. Not as a result of I don’t like My Little Pony, however as a result of it’s not the kind of factor I’m normally seeking to evaluate. Nevertheless, on my latest journeys toToys ’R’ UsI in all probability stayed for over an hour, making an attempt to verify I soaked in the whole lot, so I observed one thing totally different within the My Little Pony aisle: the newly-designed Equestria Women. I don’t know how lengthy these have been out.
On my first journey, there have been six totally different characters in inventory:
Equestria Lady show earlier than closeout.
The dolls are taller and have extra human-looking faces than the doll I reviewed in 2013, however they don’t have any knee articulation. Right here’s Rainbow Sprint:
She appears to be like a bit of indignant or devious to me:
The cartoon model of Rainbow Sprint appears to be like fairly robust, too, so I assume this expression is intentional:
The dolls appear moderately priced at $10.
Whe I returned this week, a couple of of the characters had been offered out. Solely Rainbow Sprint, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle remained:
Equestria Women show after closeout began.
I didn’t see many new gadgets within the Disney aisle, however this huge field of Princesses caught my eye (it prices $100):
The Frozen characters are conspicuously absent from this set, which might’t make children very completely satisfied, however what’s worse is that the dolls have little or no articulation and pretty bland faces, Right here’s Cinderella for example:
I observed one other face drawback within the Barbie aisle. I finished to see which Fashionista characters had been in inventory, and located this poor Curvy doll:
She might be actually fairly, however have a look at her lip paint!
I didn’t like a few of the faces on the Descendants dolls, both. After I first reviewed these dolls, I used to be charmed by their cute faces and excessive degree of articulation, however I don’t really feel drawn to them anymore for some purpose.
On this pack, for instance…
Jane appears to be like a bit of foolish:
And Carlos simply appears to be like bizarre…and barely evil:
Right here’s a more in-depth look:
I’ve to confess that the King Ben doll is cute, although. I like his molded hair:
After I returned to this aisle not too long ago, many of the Descendants dolls had been nonetheless accessible.
Considered one of my favourite issues to have a look at throughout each Toys ’R’ Us visitsDiminutive was the Marvel Fan Lady and Marvel Legends show:
The Fan Women value $50 and have elaborate costumes and what appears to be like like respectable articulation. My retailer had the entire dolls in inventory apart from the Black Panther character, who’s considered one of my favorites. I ended up buying Black Widow within the retailer after which going house to order Black Panther atToys ’R’ Usonline (earlier than the location shut down). I’m engaged on that evaluate now.
One other factor I used to be very temped to purchase was a Journey Lady. These dolls have been hidden away (in a warehouse?) for the final 12 months or so, however they magically appeared throughout my final journey to the shop!
I like Kyla and Kelsey finest:
I in all probability would have purchased Kelsey (as a result of purple hair and freckles…) however I have already got a model of this doll, and I made a decision to restrain myself.
What I purchased as an alternative (and can evaluate individually) is an American Lady Mega Construx set. These units weren’t on a lot of a sale (5% off), however the mini figures are one thing I’ve wished to evaluate for a very long time. InciCleo De Nile doll wears a royally cool style that includes a blue and golden gown with mummy wrap-inspired sleeves and a scary-chic chain belt.dentally, many of the American Lady merchandise was in inventory on my first journey and cleaned out on my second journey:
There have been no Wellie Wishers or Gabriela dolls left throughout the second journey, and solely a handful of Actually Me dolls and accent choices. I assume 10% off is an effective sale for American Lady!
I additionally purchased a cute pack of Cabbage Patch Youngsters Little Sprouts. These are solely $5.99 and embody a bit of thriller accent!
You possibly can both buy units the place the characters are seen…
…or inexpensive blind bag toys which can be a whole shock:
There are additionally a couple of playlets for the tiny dolls, however these didn’t look very fascinating or well-made:
It’s simply plastic surroundings. I don’t assume many (or any?) of the elements transfer or do something.
I purchased this set:
It features a thriller accent!
The again of the package deal has a bit of blurb in regards to the Sprouts and a cartoon of three figures (not those within the field):
One of many issues I like finest in regards to the Cabbage Patch Youngsters line is that the dolls all include names. I like names!
On this case, my three characters may have ”secret” names that I can search for on the collectors sheet. It looks like a Sunday Shock!
The figures are mounted on a bit of molded plastic that’s held throughout the blister pack:
Right here’s the collector’s sheet with the entire names (have a look at what number of characters there are!) however let’s not look too intently at that simply but.
The most important character in my set is that this blue-eyed boy:
He’s painted very well for such a small determine:
He’s collected a bunch of particles in his open mouth, although, which appears to be like a bit of gross:
He’s sporting molded and painted clothes and has a 2017 copyright on his again:
He has two factors of articulation. His head can spin round…
And he can bend on the hips to take a seat down:
At first, I assumed that every of his legs might transfer independently…
…however I used to be capable of do thLong-stemmedat solely due to the bend in his vinyl physique. The legs are related to one another and connect to the torso with a bit of clip hinge joint:
Now, let’s discover out who this cute little man is! To do this, I juts needed to search by way of the collector’s sheet for a dark-haired little boy with a purple shirt, blue pants, and blue eyes.
I discovered him! His title is…
Michael Jay! That’s a pleasant title. Jogs my memory of Michael J. Fox.
The newborn in my set is a bit of baldie with brilliant inexperienced eyes:
As with Michael Jay, the attention paint is surprisingly clear contemplating how small the doll is!
The newborn solely has one level of articulation (her hips).
And her copyright is printed on her head, which is much less enticing than having it on the shirt:
And the newborn’s title is…
Harlow Elizabeth!
For measurement reference, right here’s Harlow subsequent to Catherine, one of many Babyland Mini dolls I reviewed means again in 2013 (I haven’t seen these great little dolls since).
Cabbage Patch Youngsters Little Sprout child (left) and Babyland Mini (proper).
Harlow and Michael include a bit of gray cat:
The cat isn’t articulated in any respect, however is molded right into a sitting place:
All the pets include names, too, which is superior!
This cat’s title is…
Hammy! That’s nice. I like that not the entire pet names are simply human names.
Right here’s my completely satisfied miniature trio:
Harlow, Michael and Hammy!
I’d like to construct suspense for the thriller accent, however as you may see, that’d be laborious to do:
The yellow plastic is so skinny, it was instantly clear that the accent was a teddy bear:
Right here’s Harlow propping up the bear so as to see its very faint facial options:
The bear wasn’t an ideal shock, so let’s check out one of many blind bag toys to see if it’s extra enjoyable.
I really purchased this little field some time in the past. It’s from the primary wave of those toys:
The packaging says ”collectible buddies inside,” however provides no trace as to precisely what sort of buddies these could be. Large Youngsters, infants, pets, random equipment? We’ll have to search out out ourselves!
Below the wrapping, the field is a squat plastic cylinder with a cabbage-shaped lid:
As quickly as I cracked the lid open, I might see a whole lot of what was inside:
On this case, the plastic bag was fully clear, in order quickly as I pulled it out, I knew precisely what I had gotten:
I bought a child and one other cat!
The cat is similar mildew as Hammy, however she’s painted white as an alternative of gray:
And her title is…
Bailey! Hammy and Bailey.
The newborn has an ideal face, however her physique isn’t fairly as well-painted as Harlow and Michael’s our bodies.
She has some scuffs on her arms and a few ragged edges on her white diaper.
Her title is…
Carmella Heather! That’s beautiful. Take a look at Cian Fitzgerald, although. He’s proper subsequent to Carmella within the catalog. I like his title and his cat swimsuit!
I’ve another little cabbage to open. I bought this one atToys ’R’ Usduring my most up-to-date go to:
It’s from the ”new” sequence 1.
On this package deal, it’s clearly acknowledged that both a child and a pet or a Child shall be inside:
Are you prepared to search out out?
Oh! It appears to be like like a giant Child this time!
And he or she has purple hair!
She’s nice!
Her hair is curly in again, which I like:
Her neck is articulated, however that lengthy hair prevents the top from transferring an excessive amount of.
I like her inexperienced eyes and her closed-mouth smile, too. There’s no particles caught in her mouth!
She’s sporting a pink shirt and a glittery purple skirt:
The paint job is fairly good, however the glitter appears pointless:
It took me endlessly to search out this woman on my collector’s sheet, which is as a result of she’s within the uncommon part!
And her title is Brittany Margaret. I feel she appears to be like like a Margaret, so I’ll in all probability name her that as an alternative.
Listed below are all of my Little Sprouts collectively!
They usually all match properly into one of many plastic cabbages for straightforward storage:
When my children had been actually younger,Toys ’R’ Uswas the place we might go to cross the time: taking a look at toys and perhaps selecting a couple of treats. The boys cherished to check drive the entire bicycles and toy automobiles, and not one of the staff ever gave us a tough time for cruising across the aisles or lingering for hours to have a look at each single stuffed animal.
As my children bought older, they nonetheless loved stopping in to examine the most recent Nerf Gun choices or see if a selected coveted Transformer or Bakugan character was accessible. I’d watch and hear, fastidiously storing up concepts for birthday or vacation surprises, after which sneak again each week or so, hoping to search out no matter treasure they had been dreaming about. Toys ’R’ Usrarely let me down.
Throughout our household journeys to New York Metropolis, we all the time made a degree of stopping in on the huge flagship Toys ’R’ Us in Instances Sq.. This place was like a theme park. I don’t assume anybody in my household ever outgrew the awe we felt at seeing the ferris wheel, the massive dinosaur, the Lego fashions, or the overwhelming assortment of toys and video games. Even when the flagship retailer was changed by the smaller momentary location, I used to be capable of finding some doll or toy gem in New York Metropolis that wasn’t accessible in Maine. Once we return to New York later this spring, there shall be a palpable void.
For the final 5 years,Toys ’R’ Ushas been an essential inspiration for this weblog. Every time I’d really feel out of concepts, I’d take a fast journey to South Portland to see what was new. I befriended a number of of the staff through the years, and shared ideas about the whole lot from Monster Excessive to jazz tunes. Some days, particularly currently, I’ll admit that the huge amount of toys and plastic trinkets at this big retailer bothered me a bit (it appears so extreme!) however, hypocritically, I’m nonetheless actually unhappy to see all of it disappear.
After I assume again on reminiscences like these, I’ve to agree with one particularToys ’R’ Usslogan. It in all probability was the world’s biggest toy retailer, and I’m actually going to overlook it:
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