Photos: Toys R Us through the years
Toys R Us, which said it would close or sell all its 740 stores in the United States, traces its origins back 70 years to a single baby furniture store. Here's a look at Toys R Us through the years.
Nov. 9, 1990
Pedestrians pass under the Toys R Us marquee in New York on Nov. 9, 1990, before its grand opening. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
November 1992
Children play on electric vehicles at Toys R Us shortly after its opening in Billings, Montana in November 1992.
November 1992
A child examines a Mattel "See 'N Say" toy during the grand opening of the Billings, Montana Toys R Us store in November 1992.
Nov. 16, 1993
Rajib Ghosh looks at a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers power gun/sword at Toy "R" Us in New York, Nov. 16, 1993. Power Rangers, a line based on a TV show, were among the hottest action figures that year for Christmas. (AP Photo/Garth Vaughan)
Nov. 30, 1995
Racks where toys based on the characters of the Disney animation film “Toy Story” are sold are empty at a Toys R Us store in Culver City, California on Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
July 30, 1996
A woman pushes a shopping cart over a graphic of Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the giraffe at the Toys R Us store in Raritan, N.J., on July 30, 1996. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Daniel Hulshizer, File)
Dec. 22, 1996
Actress Sharon Stone holds Priscilla Jackson on her lap and helps her open a Christmas gift on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1996, during a party held for children living in Los Angeles area shelters. The party was sponsored by Plant Help an organization started in 1993 by Stone and her sister Kelly to help homeless children. Over 250 children received toys which were donated by Toys-R-Us. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner)
Dec. 18, 1997
Greenpeace activist Alyson Hazan hands a leaflet to an unidentified passerby as she and fellow activists picket in front of a Toys R Us store on Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997, in Santa Monica, California. Greenpeace alleges that certain toys are made of materials high in lead and other dangerous substances, and urged customers to avoid buying these items. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
May 3, 1999
Auri Toda, left, of Weston, Mass., and her friend Robert Mullen of Dorchester, Mass., pause to assess their shopping cart full of "Star Wars: Episode 1" items shortly after 12:01 a.m. Monday morning, May 3, 1999, at the Toys R Us store in Boston's South Bay. They and three friends were at the front of the line when the merchandise went on sale on a studio imposed schedule. (AP Photo/Julia Malakie)
Oct. 26, 2000
People wait outside the Toys "R" Us store on State Street in downtown Chicago, to purchase the Sony PlayStation 2 on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000. Only those who had pre-registered to to buy on the release date, received as long ago as February, could buy a PlayStation2. (AP Photo/Bridget Montgomery)
Jan. 10, 2001
The redesigned Toys R Us store in Livngston, N.J., is shown Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001. The store has been reconfigured into a more open layout with boutiques featuring merchandise targeted to age groups. Wooing back dissatisfied customers wasone of several big challenges for Toys R Us, which had seen a dramatic market share erosion since 1994. It used to be the world's No. 1 toy seller, but lost that distinction to Wal-Mart two years earlier.(AP Photo/Jeff Zelevansky)
Nov. 27, 2001
Rhythm and blues performing group "Destiny's Child" appears at the Times Square Toys "R" Us store in New York to promote their new line of dolls Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2001. Michelle Williams, left, Beyonce Knowles, center, and Kelly Rowland each hold their likenesses from Hasbro, Inc. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Feb. 22, 2003
The aftermath of a Toys 'R' Us store after its roof collapsed during a downpour is seen in Lanham, Md., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. (AP Photo/Brendan McDermid, Pool)
Nov. 28, 2003
Elizabeth Cupeles, left, gets help securing gifts on her car roof rack from her cousins June Delgado and Eddie Concepcion, right, at the Toys R Us store in Elizabeth, N.J., on Nov. 28, 2003. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price, File)
July 19, 2004
Melissa Herrera holds her 11 month-old daughter Olivia as she grabs a "Soft 'N Silly Pooh" made by Fisher Price at Toys R Us in Times Square in New York on July 19, 2004. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
June 6, 2005
Customers shop and ride the Ferris wheel at Toys "R" Us in New York's Times Square on June 6, 2005. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
June 23, 2005
A shopper test rides a bike through the Toys R Us store in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, on June 23, 2005. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Nov. 22, 2005
Nicole Duarte, 2, of Boxboro, Mass., shops for a "Furby" at a Toys R Us in New York on Nov. 22, 2005. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh, File)
Jan. 29, 2007
Yvette Ibarra holds a Dancing Princess Barbie doll while shopping at a Toys R us in Monrovia, Calif., on Jan. 29, 2007. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
Nov. 28, 2008
Jessica Luu, left, looks for deals as her friend's baby, Kaylee Oliver, inspects a toy in the shopping cart, as shoppers at Toys R Us at The Forum at Olympia Parkway in Selma, Texas, on Nov. 28, 2008. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (Bob Owen/The San Antonio Express-News via AP, File)
Nov. 28, 2008
Cars move past Toys R Us in Times Square in New York on Nov. 28, 2008. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Nov. 22, 2009
Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is pulled in a Radio Flyer wagon by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kristopher, as Shaq shopped for toys at Toys R Us in Mayfield, Ohio, on Nov. 22, 2009. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (Lynn Ischay/The Plain Dealer via AP, File)
Nov. 22, 2012
Shoppers wait on a check-out line in the Times Square Toys R Us store in New York on Nov. 22, 2012. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Nov. 27, 2009
Black Friday holiday shoppers try to navigate crowded isles at Toys R Us in Camp Hill, Pa., on Nov. 27, 2009. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
Nov. 24, 2011
Customers organize a pile of items while shopping in the Toys R Us in Times Square in New York on Nov. 24, 2011. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Andrew Burton, File)
Feb. 14, 2016
Jahmae Evans, 4, talks to Geoffrey the Giraffe at Toy Fair in New York on Feb. 14, 2016. Geoffrey is the corporate symbol for Toys R Us. Toys R Us CEO David Brandon told employees Wednesday, March 14, 2018, that the company's plan is to liquidate all of its U.S. stores, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
There will soon be more than 700 empty Toys "R" Us stores across the United States. Many of those storefronts will soon be occupied.