Stephanie Spear 
The fall leaves mean that the holiday season is just around the corner, and one retailer is banking big on nostalgia. Toys’R’Us, a popular toy retailer from the 1950’s to the 2010s, announced 120 new stores opening in time for the holidays, and two are coming to Northern Virginia. Read on for more about what we know about Toys’R’Us’s return to Northern Virginia.
About Toys’R’Us
Toys’R’Us was a staple of every kid’s holiday + birthday wishlists for much of the 1970s – 2000s. It started with one store in Rockville, MD, in 1957 and eventually had over 1600 locations globally. The store was recognizable by its Geoffrey the Giraffe mascot, who ‘didn’t want to grow up.’ We all wanted to be Toys’R’Us kids with Geoffrey. The brand expanded into baby supplies, toys, and clothing with its spinoff Babies’R’Us.
The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed most of its stores. The business and its 20 subsidiary brands were purchased in 2021 by WHP, a brand management firm that works with other large international brands such as Anne Klein, Express, and Vera Wang.
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Under WHP, Toys’R’Us was relaunched using smaller footprints in spaces like department stores and cruise ships. In August 2022, 200 store-in-store locations opened at Macy’s throughout the US.
In 2025, there were 20 holiday pop-up stores throughout the US. The success of those locations was what prompted the company to make this year’s expansion. “Some of the stores that they opened they thought were going to be seasonal stores – just for holiday – and the stores did so well they extended the lease,” Jamie Uitdenhowen, Executive Vice President of Toys “R” Us at WHP Global, said in an interview.
Northern Virginia Locations
Ahead of the 2026 holiday season, WHP has announced a further expansion of the brand. 120 new standalone retail locations will be added, and several existing and in-store locations are getting upgrades. There will be shop-in-shops with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) and a location at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Select retail locations will also have candy shops and cafes. Another new addition to some locations will be Creator Spaces, which will be dedicated spaces for influencers to film and share toy launches and more.
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There are two locations opening in Northern Virginia. One at the Leesburg Premium Outlets, one at Dulles Town Center. The Dulles Town Center location looks to be a pop-up style model, while the Leesburg location appears to be a stand-alone location. These will join the location at Springfield Town Center, which is located inside Macy’s.
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The Fairfax Girl has reached out to Toys’R’Us to learn more about the timing for these stores’ opening.
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