Toys R Us Distribution Center Closing In Flanders

FLANDERS, NJ — Toys R Us' impending closure will hit Morris County hard, as the company prepares to stop operations at its Flanders distribution center. 473 employees will lose their jobs in the coming months, company officials said in a WARN notice filed with the state.

The news of the closure comes amid Toys R Us liquidation filings in bankruptcy court. The once-giant toy retailer confirmed on Thursday that they would begin "winding down" operations in its 735 U.S. stores and at distribution centers. They had previously announced closures of 180 stores, including the Flanders and East Hanover Babies R Us locations, in an attempt to survive the bankruptcy process.

Under bankruptcy laws, workers will not receive severance packages, but will be paid for any hours they work with the company until it closes. A Toys R Us spokeswoman told Patch that all employees will receive 60 days of pay and benefits beginning on Thursday in accordance with the WARN act.

This is the third big layoff to hit Mount Olive in recent months. The local Sam's Club shuttered abruptly in early January, and the Babies R Us is expected to close in April. All three closures will see roughly 700 local workers lose jobs.

There is still a chance a buyer could purchase the company and continue operations, but that does not seem likely.

"I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the company's U.S. operations," said Dave Brandon, chairman and Chief Executive. "This is a profoundly sad day for us as well as the millions of kids and families who we have served for the past 70 years."

Toys R Us is based in Wayne, and 1,159 employees are expected to lose jobs at the corporate headquarters. Nationwide, 33,000 employees could be affected.

Read more of Patch's reporting on the Toys R Us closures:

• Toys R Us Will Sell Or Close All Stores, Company Confirms
• Toys R Us' Closing Is The End Of An Era
• Liquidation Sales Starting At Flanders Babies R Us

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