This story is making the rounds everywhere.  Bloomberg's headline says it all: Toys ‘R’ Us Is Prepping to Liquidate Its U.S. Operations.

But what does this actually mean?  It's hard to say.  Will someone swoop in and buy Toys R Us assets like the brand name, the stores, or the inventory?   Will their other assets be sold off? What happens to their exclusives?  Is our collective childhood finally over?  Will those people be able to find jobs? Will Toys R Us once again be the name of Amazon's toy storefront?  We don't know - but we wish everyone involved the very best.

Mattel and Hasbro's stocks were down slightly, and LEGO's earnings were not exactly terrible but resulted in layoffs last year anyway.  Including friends of the site.   It's a tumultous business, so if you're so inclined to support the toy industry, now would be a good time.