Like any Toys R Us kid, you probably didn't want to grow up. With good reason. The adult world involves things like bankruptcies and liquidations.
Those of us raised in the '80s and '90s heaved a collective sigh earlier this year when the international toy retailer, a staple of childhood trips for good behavior and special occasions, announced it would soon go the way of David the Gnome.
In March, Toys R Us announced it was shutting down U.S. stores, unable to reorganize after declaring bankruptcy in September. The news came just days before founder Charles Lazarus died at age 94.
It was a sad coda to the retailer's joyful legacy.
Less existential, but a bummer still, are unused Toys R Us gift cards -- a cornerstone of baby showers and long-distance birthday presents.
Earlier in the month, Bed Bath & Beyond offered a buy-back of the cards in exchange for their own store credit, but the opportunity ended almost as quickly as it was extended. Now, another chain has offered to transform disused Toys R Us gift cards into a bit of childhood magic.
Dallas-based Main Event Entertainment is now accepting plastic Toys R Us gift cards in exchange for $20 Main Event FUNcards -- good for video game play only, a statement specifies.
The offer is good through May 31, and you may trade up to two cards per day, but values exceeding $20 per card will not be matched, according to the statement.
Main Event will be checking Toys R Us card balances to ensure they do have some value, so you can't redeem an empty card, but there isn't a minimum amount required in exchange for the $20 FUNcard, a rep confirms.
In addition to what the company calls "more than 100 of the latest interactive video games" in its games gallery (where the $20 FUNcards can be spent), each Main Event location also features bowling, multi-level laser tag and pool tables.
It's a play-and-stay-awhile kind of place, with a full-service dining area featuring wings, nachos, pizza and more American pub fare. For adults, there's a full bar with cocktails, wine and beer and multiple TVs.
You can find six Main Event locations in North Texas: North Fort Worth, South Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Lewisville and Grapevine.