About Us
Toys "Я" Us is a toy store chain based in the United States and Canada. The company operates nearly 700 stores in the United States and nearly 600 stores are operating in 29 other countries, some of them under franchises or licenses. The flagship store in New York City's Times Square is the largest toy store in the world, featuring a colorful ferris wheel.
Charles Lazarus initially started Toys "R" Us (LTD) in Washington, DC during the post-war baby boom era in 1948 as a baby furniture retailer known as "Children's Supermart". Its first location was at 2461 18th St, NW, where the nightclub Madam's Organ is currently located. Lazarus began receiving requests from customers for baby toys. After adding baby toys, he got requests for more grown up toys. Eventually the focus of the store changed and Toys "R" Us as we know it was born. The company has since relocated to Wayne, New Jersey.
