Toys ‘R’ Us shutters last Calgary-area store. What it means for speciality retailers

The Toys “R” Us location at CrossIron Mills has officially closed its doors, marking the end of the toy giant’s presence in the Calgary region.

The shutdown, which took effect last Friday, comes as experts warn that running a specialty retail store is becoming increasingly difficult in a rapidly shifting marketplace.

CrossIron Mills confirmed the closure but declined to provide a reason. The move follows a wave of Toys “R” Us shutdowns across the country, raising questions about the future of brick‑and‑mortar toy shopping in Canada.

For longtime independent retailers, the news is disappointing but not surprising.

“It has its challenges because like any retail environment, things are changing all the time,” said Stan Eisenberg, co‑owner of The Discovery Hut in Calgary.

He says the key to survival isn’t competing with big-box pricing, but doubling down on service and expertise.

“We found our niche, we worked it hard. We care for it every day,” Eisenberg explained. “For anyone who says, ‘oh there’s a giant opportunity because these guys disappeared,’ well, they disappeared because of Amazon, they disappeared because of all those big electronic stores. They made themselves into commodities.”

Retail analyst Bruce Winder says Toys “R” Us struggled to adapt as competitors like Walmart and Amazon expanded their toy offerings at lower prices and higher volume.

“That’s an example of a retailer that just focused on one category,” Winder said. “But now you’ve got Walmart, Amazon, these categories they sell for much less because their volume is so much higher.”

Some specialty stores, however, are finding ways to thrive. At Monkey Mountain Toys & Games in Okotoks, staff focus on creating a welcoming, community‑driven experience.

“You’ll see us around town involved in not‑for‑profit organizations, and then you see those people come in,” said store manager Lorraine Harley, who believes visibility and connection are just as important as product selection.

For toy enthusiasts, the closure represents more than a business decision; it’s a cultural loss.

“Walking in a big location and seeing a little boy or girl and their eyes light up… it’s kind of sad to see that gone,” said collector Jason Crane. “It’s something we had growing up, and now my kids and their kids will never have.”