RIP Toys R Us!

As Toys R Us closes its doors we look back at some of the memorable and exclusive Muppet related goodness the iconic toy store has brought us over the years.

If that wasn't enough, we've even sprickled the article with Toys R Us Muppet ads!

The Blues Brothers 

In 1980, The Blues Brothers featured a chase scene in a mall with a Toys R Us store. Before being driven through, Fisher Price's Muppet and Sesame Street plush were prominently featured with a patron even asking the clerk "Do you a have Miss Piggy?"

You can watch the entire scene below:

Best Friends Plush

In 2002, Fisher-Price made a line of Sesame Street exclusive Toys R U plush. Each toy featured two characters, sewn together.

Tuxedo Kermit

Palisades' Tuxedo Kermit Action Figure was sold exclusively through ToyFare Magazine and Toys R Us in 2002 as well. 

Charity Appearances

Kevin Clash and Elmo appeared at the 2003 Toys R' Us Children's Fund.

Animated Storybooks
The 2008 Sesame Street Animated Storybooks Flutter By, Butterfly and Imagine... A Wish for Grover were originally Toys R Us exclusives.

 

CD Samplers
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol CD Sampler was released with A Sesame Street Christmas Carol exclusively through Toys R Us in 2006.

The Muppet Whatnot Workshop

From 2009 - 2015 Toys R Us owned and operated FAO Schwarz, and in 2008 opened The Muppet Whatnot Workshop, where you could create your own Muppet. 

Brooke Shields Builds her own Whatnot

Not only did FAO Schwarz have an entire Muppet section dedicated to the Whatnot Workshop, beginning in October 2011, Whatnot kits were also sold exclusively at FAO Schwarz and Toys R Us. 

In 2011, FAO branded Muppet puppets could also be found at Toys R Us locations. 

After FAO closed, some Toys R U locations sold The Muppet Whatnot Workshop bags!

Minimates
In 2015, The Toys R Us carried an exclusive Formal Kermit and Piggy Diamond Select Minimates set.

In 2015, Toys R Us also carried a regular and  "Lab Accident" Bunsen and Beaker 
Minimates sets.

2016 saw the release of two exclusive Pigs in Space Minimates sets...

as well as a Tuxedo Kermit and Animal Minimates set. 

Garthim 
Funko's Dark Crystal Garthim ReAction figure was a 2017 Toys R US exclusive.

Sprocket
And last but not least, right before Toys R US announced they were closing in the spring 2018, they released this exclusive Funko Pop! of Fraggle Rock's Sprocket . 

In addition to these exclusives, Toys R Us sold all kinds of other Henson related toys and games over the years featuring characters from Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Muppet Babies, Bear in the Big Blue House, Dinosaur Train, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, The Muppets, and more.  

As Toys R Us goes out of business, we are reminded that not only we not want to grow up, but we'll always be Toys R Us kids. 

Whatnot Bag!

FAO's Muppet Whatnot Workshop may be closed, but a few empty bags remain!

If you your whatnot is looking for a place in your home, we spotted these Whatnot Workshops bags for sale at a Toys R Us in New Jersey.

No More Monsters at Muppet Whatnot Workshop!

While in NY over the weekend, I made my usual pilgrimage to FAO's Muppet Whatnot Workshop. 

I was disappointed to find that there wasn't as much other Muppet merchandise for sale in the area as had been in the past, and that many of the Whatnot bodies...

and accessories were sold out!

I also noticed that many of monster options were also not available.. 

I asked an employee about it, and he replied that the monster options were being phased out and they would not be getting any more.

The red fur monster body and hair (as seen above) were apparently not very popular so they can still be bought for the time being. All the other monster accessories were either  gone, or, like the scary eyes also seen above, they had VERY limited quantities left.

The green and yellow "frown" face bodies are also no longer available.

While a new yellow body (that's the same as the blue and purple body) being 
offered in their place. 

So say goodbye to the whatnot monsters and hello to new yellow bodies!