Unlike most of the other locations, whose sales started Thursday, March 22nd, Flint Township's Toys R Us is set to begin its journey to the clearing at the end of the path when doors open on Friday, March 23rd.

It was widely reported that Toys R Us liquidation sales were to begin today, but that was not the case for every store. Many locals were surprised to find that it was business as usual at the Flint Township location and that prices would not begin to drop until Friday.

As is the case with most liquidation sales, the discounts will get bigger and bigger as time goes on. The real question is will the item you want be on the shelves long enough for you to get a great deal on it? Maybe not.

The liquidation sale at the Flint Township Toys R Us is expected to last two or three months, putting the closing date around June or July. Doors open at 10am Friday, and due to the nature of this sale, it's probably best to anticipate some chaos. Sure, everything could be civilized and chill. You could also be unknowingly walking into some Black Friday level "punch-a-stranger-in-the-face-to-save-$10-on-a-toy" hysteria too.

It's a real bummer that our Toys R Us is going the way of the dinosaur. I spent much of my childhood begging my parents to go to the Linden Rd. store. Sure, back then there were other toy stores too, but Kaybee Toys was no match for Toys R Us. It wasn't even close.

Now that I'm a parent, the store has become that place for my kids. They love going there anytime they get birthday money or Christmas card stuffed with cash. Like myself before them -- Toys R Us is their go-to. Sadly, the once untouchable toy retailer has reached the end of their rope and are heading gently into that good night... and I can't help but feel like part of my childhood is going with it.

Unfortunately, this is only the beginning of the coming retail apocalypse. Online retailers like Amazon have changed the game entirely. Their rising popularity and convenience have forced others, like Walmart, to adapt quickly and dive head first into the online shopping game. Those that didn't keep up, like Toys R Us, well, Amazon ate their lunch.

It's a trend that will continue until the only physical stores remaining are the Walmarts, Targets, and Home Depots of the world. I was walking around the mall with my kids the other day thinking, "When these guys get older -- this isn't going to be a thing anymore." Honestly, I'd be surprised if shopping malls survive another 10 years. I really hope that I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

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