Welcome to the Denver Gazette’s Metro Moves. You’ll get the latest metro Denver openings, closings, hiring and promotion news here. To submit your company’s news, drop an email to bernadette.berdychowski@denvergazette.com.

ICONIC RETAILER RETURNS WITH ITS OWN STORE

Toys “R” Us is making a comeback in the Denver region.

The major toy retailer opened a flagship store at the Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton last weekend, just in time for the holiday shopping season. It’s located next to the mall’s Old Navy store.

The 10,000-square foot store features an arcade and claw machines. It’ll be the first Toys “R” Us store in the U.S. with gashapon machines, a vending machine with collectible toys that are popular in Japan. It’ll also have Tomy Gacha machines, another similar kind of toy vending machine.

The company is planning to expand its presence again across the U.S. after going bankrupt in 2017 due to rising debt and increasing competition from online shopping. The bankruptcy led the chain to close all of its stores.

The brand began partnering with Macy’s to include mini Toys “R” Us shops within its stores in malls across the country.

In October, the toy store announced it would expand with eight new flagship stores including the one at Denver Premium Outlets and 20 seasonal holiday shops. One holiday shop is set to open in Lone Tree’s Park Meadows mall.

“This holiday marks an important step in our expansion strategy for the Toys “R” Us brand,” said Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group, in the October announcement. “Through both flagship stores and seasonal holiday shops, we are delivering the same experience nationwide, strengthening our presence while meeting consumer demand during the most important season of the year.”

LA VISTA MOTEL REDEVELOPMENT WRAPS UP

The historic La Vista Motel is open — again.

The motel built in 1956 on East Colfax Avenue was redeveloped by Denver developer Nathan Beal to commemorate the glory days of motel travel along the city’s major thoroughfare. While many have been shut down or turned into shelters, Beal aimed to bring the La Vista Motel back to life.

The newly-redeveloped motel with a retro 1960s-aesthetic features 23 rooms that are now available for booking. Rooms feature self-entry check-in.

The motel also now includes a retro cafe and cocktail bar called El Piñon, made with beans from Servant Coffee. La Vista Motel will host an all-day grand opening celebration on Dec. 6 open to the community.

Last month, the motel lit up its historic neon sign for the first time after a restoration project completed by Denver-based Morry’s Neon.

The La Vista Motel is also now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

TEMPORARY RESTAURANT CLOSURES AT DIA

While Denver International Airport has been busy with a slate of new restaurant openings over the past two years, two restaurants are closing for a new remodeling project.

Smokin Bear LLC said it would close two of its restaurants on Concourse C and lay off 125 workers for a remodeling project, according to a filing to state officials required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).

The closure will be temporary and affects Timberline Steaks & Grille and Einstein Bros. Bagels “due to required remodeling and airport facility upgrades,” the WARN notice said.

The company said it intends to move 92 of its workers to other locations it operates within DIA based on seniority.

The construction is set to begin Jan. 11, the WARN notice said, though it could shift. The last day for employees is scheduled for Jan. 13.

The restaurants will close at the end of the year and are required to reopen by Sept. 1, 2026, said Ashley Forest, an airport spokesperson, in an email.

The airport has heavily invested in upgrading its concessions experiences, especially in the recent expanded concourse projects. It’s easier to build modern spaces for businesses in the newer sections, Forest said, but the airport is also looking to modernize the “legacy” areas for its wider concession strategy.

“We are continually strategizing ways to maximize the potential of the existing footprint,” Forest said.