Dearborn’s Toys ‘R’ Us to Move to Allen Park Landfill
It's off to Allen Park for Toys R Us.
Another Dearborn business is planning to close and move its operation to the top of the landfill in Allen Park.
This time it is the Toys R Us at 24411 Michigan Ave., just north of Telegraph.
And while some may be sad to see this store go, the reality is that in the long run it could prove to be best for Dearborn.
Officials at the store tell us that current plans did call for construction to begin in Allen Park this spring but because of current economic conditions that could be delayed a year. The new store in Allen Park will be a combined Toys R Us and Babies R Us, store officials say.
The Dearborn location of Toys R Us was usually messy inside and customer service was mixed. In a way, it kind of matched the building it was located in, a depressing-looking white, single story mall anchored on the opposite end by a Chuck E. Cheese’s. Only a dentist’s office sits between Chuck E. Cheese’s and the Toys R Us. The rest of the building is vacant.
Across the parking lot to the west of Toys R Us is a boarded up Pep Boys. To the east is a boarded up and closed Dearborn Theatre, Wendy’s restaurant and a now a Dunkin’ Donuts shop whose windows are covered with black plastic and outdoor signage in white plastic.
Dunkin' Donuts is covered and closed.
The silver lining in all of this might be that with all of these businesses closing the opportunity exists for someone to come along and flatten this entire mess of misfit buildings and actually put something of consequence in this very desirable location. With easy access to Telegraph Road, one could envision something such as a Costco or even an IKEA considering such a location.
Sure it is hard to image this now in these hard financial times. But if city leaders can begin to think about what to do with this area — working with the current property owners and talking with other large retail businesses — Dearborn will be in a better position when we come out of this downturn to actually make something happen here.
Let’s hope our city leaders seize this opportunity.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:06 am
That entire area needs to be knocked down so the city can start fresh.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Well your analysis is certainly trying to make something out of lemons, perhaps lemonaide but the loss of any business now is not a good thing. As for IKEA or Costco forget it, there is an IKEA in Canton, the next closest is Cincinnati, they are not going to build one in Dearborn of ALL places on earth. Costco is at Middlebelt with land holdings in Canton for another. Forget that also.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:52 am
The dunkin doughnuts says they are remodeling.
March 13th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I like the Costco idea!
Whether or not it’s based in reality is up for discussion.
This area has been pretty depressing for some time now. However, the Toys R Us was, incredibly, always busy when I was there. Customer service was spotty at best. Somehow they still moved a lot of product, though, unless I’m mistaken.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Most of the north and south side of the business district from Telegraph to Gulley Road has been pretty much remodeled the past few years and looks better than it has in ages.
Like others, with the new hotel going up in the old Olds dealer area, I believe that perhaps this entire area adjacent to it all the way to Telegraph can be completely torn down to create a large, open area that will allow at least 1 big box store to come in and then a nice strip mall or two that will enhance it.
One of the issues among many we faced in rebuilding our DTWD was that when it came to big box stores that really draw customers, there was no space to even consider such a project, which usually ended up with big box stores being built in Fairlane or elsewhere. When the economy picks up again, hopefully this will allow some new creative projects in that area, which in turn could help our overly struggling DTWD.
Let’s just hope our city leaders can start thinking out of the box and can obtain some interest in building in that location. I also hope the city doesn’t decide to buy all of this property as well because our city hasn’t had much success in converting property they have bought into successful projects, as we are all well aware of in the rest of DTWD.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Dearborn 48128: Dunkin’ is an all-new store. There is no remodeling going on despite what the sign on the window says. Do you see any work taking place? No. That place is closed because of poor business and isn’t coming back, at least not any time soon. Don’t let the sign fool you.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
A prime opportunity for O’Reilly and his band of misfits to do something constructive. I’m dreaming of course. This wannabe actor (O’Reiily) will screw this area up and we will have nothing but some more vacant buildings in our City.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Yes Dearborn is having one heck of an early spring. A home invasion, SWAT attack and house burning two weeks ago, another home invasion today with a brick through the front door covered by all news outlets. This occured TWO HOUSES from the original home invasion 2 weeks ago. No seeming interest from the City on this East Dearborn crime spree, now corrupt cop in a ticket scam. And remember Building and Safety….. Jack O is a nice guy but it seems his city is finishing last
March 13th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Actually, 2 corrupt cops. http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090313/METRO/903130450/1361
Anyway, good riddance to that strip mall. Every store in there was crap and it looked terrible. I am bummed that I have to drive down Telegraph now to get my DD fix.
March 13th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I think a costco would work well there—lest we forget Livonia has TWO…the one on middlebelt is about as far from us as it is from the one on Haggerty. I think that if Costco was willing, that would be a good location.
Personally, I’m happy to hear Babies R’ Us will be in the new Allen Park location as well because it will be closer than Southland.
And if we brought in Chief Haddad to clean house, today certainly proves that it was necessary and it is happening.
March 14th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
That location was always very creepy–the store set way too far back from the parking lot, just screaming for some sort of abduction that would be featured on the Nancy Grace show for weeks….
March 15th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
How meny of you remember the Spartan/Alantic department store years ago at that location. Great Scott Supermarket where the closed Pepboys is.
March 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I remember both Dearborn Dude. I used to love shopping at that supermarket after my afternoon shift was over at Ford. I also enjoyed the original Dearborn Theater there too, but I always preferred the Calvin. I never shopped in the Spartan there though.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am
I wish they’d put Hudson’s back at Michigan and Greenfield. Does anyone remember when Hudson’s was at Michigan and Greenfield?
March 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Hudson Budjet Store Closed when thay open thier Fairlane Mall Store. Do you remember shopping at the warehouse at Warren and Middlesex?
March 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Wow! Toys R’ Us is closing? Shame. Then again, I’m not sure how kids get their toys anymore. Do they really all buy online? Kids like things that are tangible; though I suppose the weakened economy means parents just don’t have the money to spend.
But it’s not a total loss. It’s been clear to me for some time that the Inkster/Dearborn Heights have been creeping into the city. This is a great opportunity to refinish and reinvigorate traffic to that area.