Toys R Us here closing no later than April 15
April 15 is the last day the Toys R Us store could be open at Washington Mall.
“Unless we sell out (our stock) beforehand,” a manager, who preferred to not be identified, said over the telephone Thursday afternoon.
Its front windows emblazoned with signs proclaiming “Everything 70% Off,” “Store Closing Sale!” and “Last 14 Days,” the South Strabane Township location of the once-beloved toy chain is in its final two weeks of operation. And that store at the otherwise languishing mall was a veritable beehive Thursday, with shoppers – many accompanied by young children – scurrying into and out of it, seeking or getting bargains.
New Jersey-based Toys R Us Inc. announced March 15 that is was closing all 735 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and began liquidation sales at all Toys R Us and Babies R Us outlets.
That development came two months after the company said it would shutter about 180 stores in the spring, including the ones at Washington, Beaver Valley, Monroeville and Ross Park malls.
Toy R Us, which is billions of dollars in debt, filed for bankruptcy protection in September. It had been squeezed in recent times by e-commerce competitors and discount chains.
GACO seminar
The Government Agency Coordination Office at California University of Pennsylvania is offering the seminar “Fundamental Concepts in Federal Contracting” from 9 a.m. to noon on April 16, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1 Bigelow Square, downtown Pittsburgh.
Maria L. Panichelli, a government contracting attorney from Philadelphia, will talk about the federal contracting process.
The seminar is free, but pre-registration is suggested by April 12. To register or for more information, contact Tyler Verin, 724-938-5881 or verin@calu.edu.
New president
Joshua Newton is the new president of Claysville-based Newton Institute.
He was appointed by co-founders Rick Newton and John Stahl-Wert. Joshua Newton was previously a senior training consultant and technical marketing manager for the firm, a global provider of leadership development solutions.
Little Gym, big win
Little Gym of Pittsburgh-South Hills has come up big.
The Peters Township location – on Washington Road – received the company’s President’s Circle Award in early March. Little Gym, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., honors gyms that stand out in three areas: offering a positive experience for children and families, drawing new customers and retaining existing ones.
Little Gym, according to a corporate statement, “offers children a fun, active experience that challenges them to develop the physical and social skills that boost self-confidence and contribute to a healthy, positive self-image.” It has more than 380 gyms in 32 countries.