Earlier this morning, word broke that Toys R Us was planning on closing more than 175 stores nationwide. That number represents about 20 percent of its roughly 900 locations across the country.

 

While the closings are planned within months and isn’t necessarily good news for the company or the economy, there was good news for the local store. It’s not included on the list of stores that will be closed that was also released earlier this morning.

 

“I just saw the list and I can tell you that the Bridgeport store is not on it,” said Cafaro Company Director of Corporate Communications Joe Bell, representing the company that owns the Meadowbrook Mall. “At this point, the local one is okay.”

 

According to the list, all locations in West Virginia are okay. The news of the closings, said Bell, did not come as a surprised.

 

“Toys R Us has been losing money for a while and it’s a problem familiar to a lot of retailers. They took on a lot of debt, which proved to be crushing to them,” said Bell.

 

Bell’s assessment on debt appears to be correct. Multiple national media outlets said the company is straddled with $5 billion in debt. Because of that, the iconic company filed this past September for bankruptcy protection.

 

“The timing for this announcement is expected for a company that was facing what they’re facing. It usually happens in the first quarter after the holiday shopping season,” said Bell. “Those having the most significant retail troubles will have to decide what stores to close so they can save and make money with the others.”

 

Bell said Cafaro weathered this storm well. The company, which operates commercial space well beyond West Virginia, said it didn’t impact any of the stores under their umbrella.

 

“We’re always sad to hear news on things like this,” said Bell.

 

Bell said he believes Toys R Us remains viable. He said the acquisition of the debt was the downfall.

 

“This is a national economic issue,” said Bell. “Locally, I think the basic economic health in Bridgeport is good. There’s no reason to believe we’re having trouble locally or that the problems with Toys R Us is an issue with the local consumer.”

 

Bell said the Meadowbrook Mall has managed to weather most storms outside of when entire chains go down or if the majority are closed. The most recent example was Sears.

 

“Typically, Bridgeport has weathered most storms,” said Bell. “ … During the recent depression a lot of retailers there and at other locations were facing lean times, but they weathered the storm.”

 

Click HERE for a USA Today story that includes a list on all the closures.