Space Carved Out To Bring Babies 'R' Us Back To Manchester — At Kohl's

MANCHESTER, CT — Preparations were under way this week at the Manchester Kohl's store as part of the big box chain's partnership with Babies 'R' Us that officially begins this month.

The first Babies 'R' Us shops will begin opening in August and continue opening through fall, with 200 shops open in time for the holidays nationwide.

Three of them are in Connecticut:

• Manchester at 155 Tolland Turnpike.
• Plainville at 200 New Britain Ave.
• Norwalk at 500 Connecticut Ave.

As the calendar turned to August a space had opened up in a far corner of the Manchester store. On Friday, it was obvious staffers were preparing for an additional display area near the baby and toddler clothing areas.

The Babies 'R' Us at Kohl’s shops will feature a "curated assortment of the latest baby gear, furniture, activity, accessories, and more," according to the announcement last spring. The Babies 'R' Us areas will be designed to complement Kohl’s existing baby and kids apparel that includes brands like Little Co. by Lauren Conrad, Jumping Beans, Carters and Nike.

That is exactly was was being set up in Manchester. The shops will measure between 750 and 2,500 square feet and work similarly to the Sephora inserts already at Kohl's stores, officials said.

Babies 'R' Us shut its stores in 2018 after its parent company, Toys 'R' Us, liquidated its assets amid bankruptcy proceedings. The chair abandoned a plaza in the Buckland Hills section of Manchester.

Kohl's officials could not be reached for comment Friday on the remaining 17 stores in Connecticut.

They include:

• Berlin
• Branford
• Brookfield
• Canton
• Dayville
• Enfield
• Groton
• Hamden
• Lisbon
• New Milford
• Old Saybrook
• Orange
• Rocky Hill
• Trumbull
• Wallingford
• Waterbury
• Willimantic