The continuing evolution of Rooms+Spaces retail chain

[Ciel21]

Ok, we know that Rooms+Spaces took over former leases in about 9-11 markets in Canada where Bed Bath and Beyond used to do business.

Then the locations in January were down to two: one in Brantford, Ontario and the other in West Edmonton, Alberta. The website is the primary way to see merchandise. The tab for the website can be found on the Toys R Us as the owner of that chain also runs Babies R US (second tab on website). Plus I understand pop-up HMV stores have sprung up in certain Toys R Us locations.

Tonight-another location wrinkle. When I went the to tab for Rooms + Spaces, my location came up as Hamilton Outlet. What, is there an outlet location in Hamilton? Why no, the address corresponds to the Mountain location of Toys R Us (unless it is the former National Sports store which has been empty since that retailer closed in 2022). Either there's a pop up store inside the TRU or it's a pickup location for orders. I'll have to visit to find out and also see if there might be a HMV popup too. Conveniently, there's a McDonald's restaurant nearby so tweens and teens are likely to go over to Toys R Us on their own if they at that plaza or are crossing over from nearby Lime Ridge Mall.

When I tried to search Brantford ON as a location, it does not show. West Edmonton does. It's very likely the owner is pivoting the sales model to be more like Zellers "displays" or the original pop up Zellers when it launched last year at Burlington Centre.

So there are still two locations, but the Hamilton one is on transit routes, near the Linc Parkway and across from the mall.

[Ciel21]

Weekend sales at the Ancaster warehouse, Hamilton outlet in ToysRUs and West Edmonton mall stores on now.
50% off everything in Ancaster & Hamilton; 40% off in West Edmonton.
Ancaster site only accepts electronic payments.

Fortunately I had signed up for the Toys R US newsletters (because I saw an upcoming seniors day event) but I have not ever received a Rooms+Space newsletter or email (I did sign up this year in January). So, it pays to check the websites and look around the tabs for each entity owned by the same parent company.

I intend to visit the Ancaster site tomorrow morning as I have my eyes on Joseph Joseph items, if they are there because they are not in stock at the Hamilton location per the website.

[Ciel21]

Ventured to the store a few minutes before closing. Goal was to get 4 of the 7 items on my list. I managed to get 3 out of 4 so that was a win!

Since my items were in kitchen accessories/gadgets, I was on the east side of the warehouse (did not have time to explore other aisles). Company had a sale sign on front of property but it was not clear which door was the entrance, so I used the exit where a customer came out to go in!
Oxo Deep Clean brush set, Oxo ice cube tray (exactly like the Oxo Tot version but instead of teal lid, this is pale blue (almost Wedgewood blue)), and a round silicone trivet in purple. $18 and change!

There were lots of carded Oxo items/Oxo Good Grips. The LED lighting is at the top of the warehouse, so I found the interior rather dim after walking in sunshine for 35min. Had I a cellphone, I would have used the flashlight on it to light up the cards hanging below eye level on some racks as the overhead light was obscured somewhat. Did see some Trudeau branded items, Core, Zyliss and another brand of ice cube trays, some sandwich containers and insulated lunch bags.

Tomorrow's weather will be rather warm and wet so I cannot plan to try the Hamilton store on Monday. Maybe Tuesday, as last day of sale is on Wed.

[Ciel21]

Website has not shown search function for a long time. Warehouse location kept weekend sales as I recall seeing one in past two weekends.https://www.toysrus.ca/en/home
Looks like Rooms+Spaces is no more. No link on the Toys R Us website.