TAMPA, FL (970 WFLA) - Toys 'R' Us is closing 180 stores nationwide as it goes through bankruptcy proceedings, and two bay-area stores are on the list of closings.
CNBC is reporting that the Toys 'R' Us at 3908 West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa and the St. Petersburg store at 1900 Tyrone Boulevard are on the chopping block.
No date has yet been set for the store closings, but Dave Brandon, Toys 'R' Us Chairman and CEO, said in a statement that they will start closing stores in early February, with a majority of stores shutting down by mid-April.
Brandon also says there will be liquidation sales at the locations. It is unclear how many employees will be affected by the store closings.
The company intends to convert a number of locations into co-branded Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us stores.
"The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus," Brandon said. "The actions we are taking are necessary to give us the best chance to emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings as a more viable and competitive company that will provide the level of service and experience you should expect from a market leader."