Toys R Us Returns to Mississippi With New Pearl Store Opening
Toys R Us will open a new 4,645-square-foot standalone store at The Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. The retail expansion brings the brand back to the Jackson area nearly a decade after the company shuttered its previous location on County Line Road during its 2018 bankruptcy.
Retail Expansion Across the United States
The Pearl storefront is part of a broader nationwide rollout. Toys R Us announced plans to open 120 new standalone stores across the country for the holiday season in partnership with Go! Retail Group. This expansion brings the total count of standalone U.S. stores to 160. Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys R Us at WHP Global, stated that the move will accelerate the brand's domestic growth.
What Shoppers Will Find in Pearl
The new location will occupy Suite 300 at the shopping center, situated next to the playground and across from The Children’s Place. The inventory will include toys, collectibles, and gifts from major brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokémon, and Melissa & Doug. Shoppers can also expect action figures, dolls, learning games, and building blocks.
Kathy Hackshaw, director of retail at The Outlets of Mississippi, confirmed the October opening date. The Toys R Us opening coincides with other retail activity at the property, including the arrival of Clarks in Suite 230 and the seasonal opening of Spirit Halloween in Suite 510.
WHP Global Leads Toys R Us Comeback After Bankruptcy
The brand’s return follows a restructuring period after financial collapse. Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2017 with roughly $5 billion in debt, leading to the liquidation of its U.S. operations in 2018. WHP Global acquired a controlling interest in the company in 2021 and initiated a comeback strategy that included a flagship store at the American Dream mall in New Jersey and hundreds of shop-in-shops inside Macy’s locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pearl Store Opening
Where exactly will the new Toys R Us be located in Pearl?
The store will open in Suite 300 at The Outlets of Mississippi, located at 200 Bass Pro Drive. The space sits next to the shopping center playground and across from The Children’s Place, roughly 12 miles south of the former County Line Road location in Jackson.
Are there other standalone Toys R Us locations planned for Mississippi?
Pearl is currently the only standalone Toys R Us location announced for Mississippi. However, the company also operates approximately 400 shops inside Macy’s stores nationwide and supplies products to Navy Exchange facilities, which include locations in Gulfport and Meridian.
What other retailers are opening alongside Toys R Us at the outlet center?
Footwear retailer Clarks is scheduled to open in Suite 230 near the Nike store by the end of the year, while Spirit Halloween has already opened in Suite 510 next to Five Below.