Kmart #4150

Only one lone Kmart location operates anywhere in central PA and this location, in Altoona, is it. This location is an old store that opened over 50 years ago in 1965, but it felt like it does very well from my visit. 

NOTE: This location is located in Blair County, which lies outside the blog's general coverage zone.

The old auto center sits empty in the front parking lot

Parts of the floor have been updated

Hopefully this store will continue to stay open, but only time will tell.

The Final Goodbye(s) to Toys R Us- in Erie

There is no question that the demise of the last toy store of its kind hit many folks hard. It is sad to think that there is currently no chain toy store to fill the gap. Sure, we have independent toy stores and toy departments, but it isn't the same. There truly is nothing that can compare to the pure joy that children got from seeing aisles and aisles of toys under one roof. Sadly this has all to come an end - for the moment at least. While KB Toys is planning to make a comeback, it remains to be seen how it will play out and if it even will work out.

I've been out over the past few months going to various Toys R Us and Bon-Ton stores in the region to get one last look before they are gone forever. The final Toys R Us that stopped at was the location in Erie, one of my two childhood Toys R Us stores. It truly was a bittersweet experience, yet also a very fitting way to say goodbye. 

As you will see in the pictures below, this Toys R Us location set up a wall of memories for customers to put up their experiences. Fellow Flickr user justinthedog, Youtuber WallieB26, and of course myself all left notes to say goodbye. Sadly, I was unable to find Justin's among the thousands of notes left. This understandably felt like the best way for me to end my Toys R Us journey. 

I don't think 'Get Well Soon' will work here....

Electronics mostly emptied out

Toys R Us bags

The way to leave your message

My goodbye note. I signed it using my Flickr username.

As mentioned, hopefully KB can make a successful comeback. Only time will tell how the toy industry will adjust.