It was no secret that I was irrationally upset when I learned that Toys ‘R’ Us was closing down.

Grief turned to optimism when news came that the iconic store was primed for a resurrection. Now, I’m as euphoric as a teenager after receiving his first wristy. Toys ‘R’ Us is back baby, and will re-open in the finest state in the union, New Jersey.

The best bits from the official press release below:

Tru Kids, the proud parent of the Toys“R”Us brand will bring Toys“R”Us stores back to the United States this holiday season. Tru Kids and b8ta, the software-powered experiential retailer have entered into a joint venture to launch a new store experience that will deliver the hottest toy products and brands, carefully curated and showcased in highly immersive smaller-format spaces.

The first two new Toys“R”Us stores will open this holiday season, located in The Galleria in Houston, Texas, a Simon Mall, and in Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. Brand partners and experiences will be announced in the coming weeks.

The new Toys“R”Us stores will serve as must-visit destinations for kids to learn, play, and fall in love with the latest and most popular toys, and for parents to have fun with their children and ignite their own childlike sense of play. The stores will be highly interactive with new events and activities every day, from seeing toys displayed out of the box to test before making a purchase, to visiting different brand stations to driving learning through play embracing STEAM, or just having fun with Geoffrey® the Giraffe in the open playspace.

The companies plan to open additional locations in prime, high-traffic retail markets within the U.S. over the course of 2020. To learn more about Toys“R”Us, and stay in the know about new store openings and offers, visit http://www.toysrus.com.

Tru Kids Brands

Toys ‘R’ Us will always be synonymous with video games for me. Back in the day, I remember my mom taking me to the store as a kid, where I would pick up a game ticket, pay, and then pick it up at the “cage.” Fucking magical.

This holiday, I’m taking my girls to Paramus and we WILL make purchases. This institution must be supported and never again taken for granted. The world is a better place place with Toys ‘R’ Us.

Seriously, do you prefer to buy toys from a fucking Bond villain like Jeff Bezos?