According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tallahassee’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low.
Unfortunately, some chain stores, including Toys “R” Us, are closing and causing many people to become unemployed.
One-stop shop powerhouse companies like Wal-Mart and Amazon are the biggest threats to these businesses, and their consumer audience continues to grow and remain loyal.
Because Tallahassee is a college town with many jobs to be filled, employees at the local Toys “R” Us on Apalachee Parkway shouldn’t be out of a job for too long.
“I’ve been at Toys “R” Us for eight months, but when I first was looking for a job, I got many offers from different jobs, so finding another one hopefully won’t be difficult,” said Angelena Ross, a soon-to-be former Toys “R” Us employee.
Approximately 31,000 jobs will be lost once Toy “R” Us officially closes all of its doors. The chain will be closing about 200 stores and it may not seem realistic yet, but the end will soon come.
Hannah Taylor, a former Toys “R” Us employee, said, “I can’t believe it’s really closing. Toys “R” Us was always somewhere I enjoyed going as a child, and even working there brought a smile to my face seeing all of the children as happy as I was. It’s really sad.”
The layoffs were delivered as respectfully as possible, but the news really couldn’t be put any other way.
“They tried to make the conversation positive, but regardless, I lost my job. I’m not blaming anyone, but at the end of the day, I’m unemployed,” Taylor said.
Current and former Toys “R” Us employees said the closing news caught them off guard.
“It was very, very hard for me to find a job. When I was lucky enough to get this job, I knew that I would do my best to keep it for as long possible. Yes, I’m aware that this isn’t a career, but this is what kept me somewhat financially stable. Now I’m in the process that once was in and hopefully I can get lucky again,” said Alexander Johnson, a former Toys “R” Us employee.
After 70 years of business, everything in Toys “R” Us stores is up for sale and eventually every location across the U.S. will completely shut down.