Toys 'R' Us making unexpected comeback in Ontario but there's a twist

Ontario shoppers can soon tap into a little nostalgia, just in time for the holidays, with Toys 'R' Us returning to the Canadian retail market.

Staples Canada announced it has become the official retail partner of Toys 'R' Us and Parties 'R' Us in collaboration with Next Century Ipco Can ULC, the corporation that acquired the Canadian trademarks and intellectual property rights to the brands.

The partnership will bring the toy, apparel, and baby essentials retailer back to shoppers in a reimagined way: returning through a shop-in-shop concept, paired with an online marketplace at staples.ca.

Toys 'R' Us will be featured in almost 300 Staples stores across the country, transforming the office supply retailer into a multi-purpose destination for families.

"As a Canadian company, with close to 300 stores and 11,000 employees serving communities across every province, we're proud to help write the next chapter for a brand that has been part of childhood in Canada for generations," said Jen Cermark, CEO of Staples Canada.

Staples Canada confirms that the inaugural Toys 'R' Us and Parties 'R' Us location will open on Nov. 14 at Staples Richmond Hill, right here in Ontario. Parties 'R' Us is a branch of the brand specially curated to offer a shop-in-shop experience featuring party supplies.

The rollout will continue into 2027, with Staples stores across the country gradually welcoming the Toys 'R' Us and Parties 'R' Us labels.

Toys 'R' Us has been a household name in Canada since entering the market in 1984. However, the retailer has faced a turbulent period amid a changing retail landscape and began downsizing its brick-and-mortar footprint earlier this year.

Now, shoppers can once again experience the nostalgia of browsing aisles filled with toys and other fun essentials, starting with the new shop-in-shop location inside Staples at 45 Red Maple Rd. in Richmond Hill, Ont.