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The only toy store in Kent County is closing down

Delaware Public Media
Jim Blackstone

Toys R Us announced last week it’s closing all of its stores nationwide. Its Dover location is the only toy store in Kent County.

The Dover store was on a list of closures initially announced in January. It has people working in shifts standing alongside Bay Road holding a sign reading “This Location Only: Closing Sale," and is busy with Delawareans looking to get 50% off deals.

But some, like Milford’s Dottie Starkey, are sad to see another niche retail store closing down.

“Yes I’m old and it makes me very sad. I like little eclectic stores that have just the certain thing. Toys R Us is one of them,” said Starkey.

Sylvester Rahim brought his daughter to the store Friday to buy toys after a lunch date. He points to online retail as a reason for Toys R Us closing.

“I guess the times caught up with them. Everyone moving online and all that,” said Rahim.

The toy store chain has been around for 70 years. Gwann Ross was also at the Dover store Friday buying toys for her daughter. She remembers her mother buying her toys from there also.

“It’s sort of sad, because it’s been around for years since I was kid. So it’s sad to see them go,” said Ross.

The Dover Toys R Us will close down sometime next month. The only other Delaware location is in Christiana and will close later this year.