PEORIA (25News Now) – A familiar name is making a comeback in Peoria, just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Toys “R” Us officially opened its doors at Northwoods Mall on Thursday, Nov. 5, bringing the iconic toy retailer back to the area after years away.
The new store replaces the former Go! Games location inside the mall, offering shoppers a wider selection of toys and gifts ahead of Christmas.
For Northwoods Mall General Manager Julie Revallo, the return is more than just another store opening. It’s a chance for families to relive childhood memories.
“It’s such a, you know, well-known store in the Peoria area. Used to be across the street for years. I used to shop there with my children when they were young,” Revallo said.
The original Toys “R” Us was located across from Northwoods Mall in the Westlake area before closing.
Revallo said the decision to bring Toys “R” Us to Northwoods came after the existing Go! Games location was rebranded under the nationally recognized toy retailer.
She said the new store will give shoppers more options when searching for gifts, particularly as the holiday shopping season gets underway.
“When they walk into the Toys R Us stores, they can expect to find all the toys that they, you know, normally can’t find at a regular store, and they can shop Christmas for their kids,” Revallo said.
Although the store’s opening happened sooner than originally anticipated, Revallo said employees worked hard to have everything ready before the holidays.
She also hopes the store will eventually expand into a larger space at the mall, allowing it to offer even more toys, bicycles and other merchandise. However, no expansion plans have been confirmed.
Revallo said the response on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, and she expects Saturday to be especially busy as more families make their way to the mall.
Beyond the excitement of a new shopping destination, Revallo believes the return of Toys “R” Us will resonate with generations of Peoria-area families.
She remembers taking her own children to the original store, sometimes spending hours waiting for them to decide which toy they wanted.
Now a grandmother, she’s looking forward to sharing that same experience with her grandson.
“It’s going to be enjoyable. A lot of reminiscing, you know, the good old days with the Toys R Us,” Revallo said.
The new Toys “R” Us is located inside Northwoods Mall in Peoria.
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