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| Toys"R"Us |
Momma got a seasonal job at Toys Я Us!
Toys Я Us is a dedicated toy and juvenile-products retailer founded in 1948 and headquartered in Wayne, N.J. The company now operates more than 877 Toys Я Us and Babies Я Us stores in the United States, more than 685 international stores, and over 170 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions.
Charles Lazarus started Children's Supermart (which would evolve into Toys Я Us) in Washington, D.C. , in 1948 during the post-World War II baby boom era as a baby-furniture retailer. Lazarus began receiving requests from customers for baby toys. After adding baby toys, he got requests for toys for older children.
The focus of the store changed in 1957, and Toys Я Us was born in Rockville, Maryland. The company's mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe (formerly known as Dr. G. Raffe) made his debut during 1957 in print advertisements for Children's Bargain Town. He was known for saying "Toys"R"Us," a quote that later became the company's name. Dr. G. Raffe was renamed Geoffrey in 1969 when Children's Bargain Town became Toys Я Us, and became the official Toys Я Us "spokesanimal."
The original Toys Я Us store design in 1969-1989 consisted of vertical rainbow stripes and a brown roof with a front entrance and side exit. Some brown-roof locations still exist, although some have been painted different colors or renovated.
Incidentally, Toys Я Us acquired toy retailer FAO Schwarz in May 2009.
FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862 during the Civil War and the oldest toy store in the United States, is known for its unique high-end toys, life-sized stuffed animals, dolls, and games. The FAO Schwarz flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City is a popular tourist destination, and has gained iconic status for its floor piano, cameos in major motion pictures, and real-life toy soldiers.
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