A year after the party, Toys ‘R’ Us declared bankruptcy, citing its huge debts. The company’s lawyers were confident the retailer could keep operating, once it cut its loan payments. But after a weak Christmas season, creditors doubted whether the company had a viable future and pushed to close its United States operations.

The employees in the Woodbridge store were told in March they had three months left to work.

Ms. Koperwhats, 57, felt betrayed. She thought of all the Christmas Eves and Independence Days she had missed over 34 years because she was working. She helped the new parents who came to the baby registry like they were her own children.

“When I heard the company had all this debt, it broke my heart,’’ she said. “I never knew about it until the bankruptcy.”

Mr. Abreu couldn’t believe it was over. He had started working at Toys ‘R’ Us a few years after he graduated from college with degrees in political science and criminal justice. He’s had other jobs in retail over the years, but toys — particularly Star Wars and Transformers — are his “passion.”

He usually wears a tool belt on his hip holding scissors, a screwdriver and an assortment of colored markers. To stay current, he liked to research the latest toys on the manufacturers’ websites.

“I was told that the next assistant manager position that opened up was mine,” said Mr. Abreu, who earned $12.46 an hour.

Ms. Claude’s hurt over the closings soon turned to anger. She considered Toys ‘R’ Us her family. Many of her co-workers attended her wedding on the South Amboy waterfront.