NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) - Toys R Us is closing its last U.S. stores by Friday, the end of a chain known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores, brightly colored logo and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot.
But many of the children who happily sang the "I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid" jingle grew into busy parents who found shopping online more convenient.
The company, which also owned the Babies R Us chain, was hobbled by $5 billion in debt after a leveraged buyout that left it unable to invest and keep up.
TRENDING NOW:
- LIVE UPDATES: Pittsburgh mayor wants judge to increase bond for officer that killed Antwon Rose
- Pittsburgh tops list of 'cool cities'
- Man who died at SunTrust Park was there installing his beer invention
- VIDEO:Who is Jarrod Ramos, Suspected Maryland Shooter?
As the last of the U.S. stores close, more than 30,000 workers will be looking for work. Toys R Us' troubles have also shaken some big toy makers like Mattel and Hasbro.
Customers who were still devoted will be looking elsewhere to shop.
Retailers like Walmart and Target are expanding their toy aisles to fill the hole, while Party City is opening 50 pop-up toy shops this fall.
Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last fall and pledged to stay open, but had poor sales during the critical holiday season as customers and vendors shied away.
In January, it announced plans to close about 180 stores, but then in March it said it would liquidate the rest of the 700-plus stores. Will the Toys R Us name and mascot disappear forever?
Toys 'R Us has closed down and if Geoffrey The Giraffe with his little suitcase leaving the empty store and the idea that we have all grown up and left childhood behind doesn't bring a tear to your eye then I can't help you pic.twitter.com/YSCxsvEhxo
— Gina Martin (@ginamartinuk) June 28, 2018
An auction for the company's name, baby shower registry and various trademarks is set for late July.
The 16-foot tall statue of Geoffrey the Giraffe that greeted visitors at Toys R Us headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey will be moved to a children's hospital in the state.
Many long-time employees were hoping to retire at a place they called home.
"I'm never going to have a job like Toys R Us," said long-time employee Patty Van Fossan, 54, from Boardroom, Ohio, who was among a group of workers at protests in New York, fighting for severance that they believe they are owed. "It was the best job I had. I was surrounded by children."
Associated Press