Toys R Us, hobbled by competition, will close 180 stores

(CNS/FOX 11) - Beginning next month, Toys'R'Us will close up to 182 stores nationwide, including more than a dozen in Southern California, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

The store closures are expected to be completed by the end of April.

"The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus,'' company CEO Dave Brandon said in a blog post.

"To that end and following a top-to-bottom assessment of our business, we have decided to close a number of our U.S. stores. We also intend to convert a number of locations into co-branded Toys'R'Us and Babies`R'Us stores.

"The actions we are taking are necessary to give us the best chance to emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings as a more viable and competitive company that will provide the level of service and experience you should expect from a market leader.''

The Southern California stores scheduled to close are in Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties.

They are at:

-- 26573 Carl Boyer Drive, Santa Clarita;
-- 960 Lakes Drive, Covina;
-- 1600 S. Azusa Ave., Puente Hills;
-- 2575 E. Imperial Highway, Brea;
-- 530 Westminster Mall, Westminster;
-- 20120 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance;
-- 2550 Canyon Springs Parkway South, Riverside;
-- 3900 Bristol St., Santa Ana;
-- 3665 Grand Oaks, Corona;
-- 1240 W. Morena Blvd., Mission Bay;
-- 8181 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa;
-- 1990 University Drive, Vista;
-- 42500 Jackson St., Indio; and
-- 1189 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley.