Santa may be getting a little competition in Clarksville this holiday season as one famous toy store and giraffe are scheduled to make their return.
Governor Square Mall announced that Toys 'R' Us is returning to Clarksville this fall, just in time for the holiday season.
The approximately 7,200-square-foot store is set to be in the Belk Concourse, across from Shoe Dept. Encore.
An exact opening date for the store has yet to be finalized, but officials say the store should open sometime next month.
Operated by Go! Retail Group, the smaller-format store will carry brands including LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, NERF and PAW Patrol. Plans call for the new store to stay open year-round.
“We are thrilled to bring the excitement of Toys 'R' Us to more families
this season, creating an easy and fun shopping destination,” Alex Winkelman, executive vice president of business development for Go! Retail Group, said in the announcement.
The Clarksville plan comes days after Toys 'R' Us announced it would launch a major expansion nationwide. The retailer said it plans to open 120 standalone stores across the U.S. for the 2026 holiday season in partnership with Go! Retail Group.
This will bring the retailer's total to 160 stores in the U.S., in addition to the stores already located in Macy's shops, airports and Navy Exchange as the brand tries to rebuild from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filed in September 2017.
Govenor's Square Mall continues to thrive
The Toys 'R' Us addition comes as Governor’s Square Mall continues to evolve.
Other malls in Middle Tennessee have struggled with store closures and increasing competition from online shopping.
As of October 2025, mall officials said keeping the Clarksville property relevant meant adapting to changing consumer habits and giving shoppers more reasons to visit.
That effort has included a multimillion-dollar renovation that replaced or updated flooring, lighting and signage inside the mall while adding new landscaping, paving and LED signage outside in recent years.
The mall also expanded its entertainment offerings. Dave & Buster’s opened at the property, while the former AMC movie theater underwent a $5 million renovation before reopening as Phoenix Theatres.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Toys 'R' Us to return to Clarksville, bring holiday shopping boost
