New headline:
Toys R Us Returns to Deptford Mall — A Local Win for Shoppers, Jobs, and I‑295 Commuters
By Ari Williams — 295Times
If you drive I‑295 through Gloucester County, here’s one more reason to plan a short detour at Deptford: Toys R Us has officially returned with a dedicated storefront inside Deptford Mall. For families along the I‑295 corridor, that’s more than nostalgia — it’s a practical convenience and a small but meaningful sign of retail life returning to the town center.
Where it is and why it matters
The new Toys R Us sits inside Deptford Mall in Deptford Township, Gloucester County — the shopping complex most of us know as the big stop just off Route 42 and a short drive from I‑295. Google Maps shows Deptford Mall as an easy pull-off for I‑295 drivers, making the store handy for everyone from glassboro commuters to folks coming off the West Deptford exits. For people who plan errands around their highway commute, a full-service toy store with in-person selection and seasonal deals is an actual timesaver.
This isn’t the little shop-in-shop experience some markets got when the brand first surged back; it’s a dedicated location carrying a broader assortment for kids and families — the kind of destination retail that brings shoppers into the mall rather than just through it. That matters for nearby small businesses and food court vendors who rely on weekend foot traffic.
A quick brand refresher
Toys R Us, once the go-to national chain for toys, went through bankruptcy and store closures in the late 2010s. In the years since, the brand has been resurrected in different formats — pop-ups, Macy’s shop-in-shops, and select standalone stores — as new owners looked to revive the iconic name. The Deptford location is part of that broader comeback trend, bringing back a physical, full-selection toy retailer to the I‑295/Route 42 retail map.
What the store means for Deptford and the I‑295 corridor
– Foot traffic and spillover for local retailers: Deptford Mall still anchors retail activity in the township. A full-scale Toys R Us helps pull families into the mall on weekends and during seasonal shopping peaks, which in turn helps neighboring stores and eateries. For small retail operators and franchise restaurants that depend on mall customers, that additional foot traffic can be meaningful.
– Seasonal employment and local hiring: Big toy stores typically ramp up staffing for holidays and school breaks. That creates local part-time and seasonal hires for residents and students in Deptford Township and nearby towns along the I‑295 corridor.
– A reason to stop, not just pass through: For drivers using I‑295 to get between exits and towns in Camden and Gloucester counties, the store turns Deptford Mall into a convenient one‑stop for gifts, kids’ activities, and last-minute shopping. That minor shift helps keep retail dollars in Gloucester County rather than sending them farther afield.
– Fit with retail trends: The return of a recognizable national retailer as a dedicated store is part of a trend toward “experience-first” brick-and-mortar: retailers that offer broader selection, special events, and a reason to shop in person rather than only online. That dynamic tends to favor malls that can adapt with services, events, and complementary tenants.
Local reaction and community sentiment
Checking local review platforms like Yelp and conversations on neighborhood forums shows a mix of nostalgia and practical enthusiasm. Parents and grandparents are happy to see a place where kids can touch and compare toys before buying — something online images don’t replicate. Local reporters and outlets, including NJ.com and Patch, have tracked Deptford Mall’s changes over the years and have highlighted how new openings and re-openings affect the mall’s role in the community. Residents have told reporters they appreciate more retail options close to home that don’t require a long drive.
Practical notes for readers
– If you’re commuting on I‑295 and planning to stop at Deptford Mall, give yourself some extra time on weekend afternoons — the mall and its lots can get busy during peak shopping windows.
– The Deptford spot is worth a check if you’re shopping for seasonal gifts or need a last-minute present without shipping waits.
– Local small businesses around Deptford Mall stand to benefit when national names bring people back to the center; consider pairing errands with lunch at a nearby restaurant or a cup of coffee from a local café.
Why this story matters to 295Times readers
We cover news by exit, town, and county because small changes on the retail map can have outsized effects on daily life for commuters and residents. A storefront like Toys R Us doesn’t just sell toys — it helps shape traffic patterns, hiring cycles, and where families spend their local dollars. For people living and driving along I‑295 in and around Deptford Township, that’s relevant.
If you’ve stopped by the new store, or you work nearby and have noticed any traffic or hiring changes, I’m happy to hear what you’ve experienced — these local details help paint the real picture of what this comeback means for our communities along the 295 corridor.
— Ari Williams, 295Times
Sources & local context: Deptford Mall location and local traffic context via Google Maps; regional coverage of Deptford Mall and retail trends tracked by NJ.com and Patch; community sentiment and shopper reviews sampled on Yelp. (For the latest hours and directions, check the Deptford Mall website or Google Maps before you go.)
