Thunder Bay game and toy stores won’t have a problem playing in the sandbox with Toys “R” Us.
A Toronto-based developer on Thursday confirmed the international toy retailer has made a deal to build a store at the Thunder Centre. Toys "R" Us operates nearly 70 stores in Canada, according to the company's website, and 868 outlets in the United States.
The latter number also includes Babies "R" Us stores.
In addition to Toys “R” Us, Target will also have a store in the city and Walmart is expected to expand to have three stores in total within the city.
But despite the big chain stores coming to the city, local stores aren’t too worried.
In fact, Game Shelf Co-owner Jackie Laderoute welcomed the chance to work with Toys “R” Us.
The specialty gaming store on Memorial Avenue is near two big named chain stores already but Laderoute said she’s had good relations with them and hopes to have the same kind of courtesy with Toys “R” Us.
“I think it’s going to be good for the community at large,” Laderoute said.
“It will give shoppers more choice and there will be a spinoff of jobs. I’m approaching this with the spirit of cooperation. I would like to talk to Toys “R” Us and let them know we run the league play, we build the customer base and we want to work something out with them.”
She said she didn’t think having the big chain store in town would hurt local businesses. Many of the products that the Game Shelf sells aren’t currently available at Toys “R” Us.
She pointed out that the store may carry a popular board game like Settlers but they won’t have the various expansions available.
“For us we’re very much a niche market,” she said. “Not a lot of the mass market items so I don’t see it affecting us at all. The biggest thing that we offer that they can’t is the opportunity for organized play. We’re open every evening and we have game leagues and tournaments. There’s something every week.”
Toy Sense Owner Darryl Boyer shared Laderoute opinion and said Toys “R” Us wouldn’t have much of an impact to his store because unlike big name stores they can offer better customer service.
“We always knew Toys “R” Us would eventually come to Thunder Bay so it’s no big surprise,” Boyer said. “We know we don’t carry everything but we do carry an extensive line of toys. So at least from the point of view of the consumers of Thunder Bay if we don’t have something they may have another choice, which may also provide a local job.”
He added they biggest concern has always been shopping online compared to going to another store.
