Burlington Stores will take over vacant Toys R Us in Toms River
David P. WillisTOMS RIVER - Instead of toys, shoppers will soon buy coats and clothes inside the now-closed Toys R Us store on Hooper Avenue.
Burlington Stores — still commonly known by its old name, Burlington Coat Factory — has signed a lease to move into the now vacant Toys R Us at Bey Lea Plaza on Hooper Avenue.
Burlington touted the new store in a "Coming Soon" sign along the road. Toys R Us, which was located at the corner of Hooper Avenue and Route 571, closed last year after the toy retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
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A representative of Burlington, based in its namesake town in Burlington Counrty, could not be reached for comment. It has stores in Ocean Township, Freehold Township and Brick, with another planned for Hazlet.
A Toms River store fills a void in Burlington's market, said Shane Wierks, a broker associate with Jeffery Realty, who is marketing an adjacent property. "It really fits well," Wierks said.
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Burlington, an off-price retailer, sells clothes and accessories for women, men and children at prices it says are up to 65 percent off. An estimated date for when it will open in the 45,000-square-foot former toy store was not available.
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