While Canadian TRU stores are still open,
the Journey Girls line has kind of faltered since the close of the US
stores. While the TRUs still sell the last of their Journey Girl stock,
there hasn’t been any new stuff created in the past year. However, TRU
Canada has recently launched a brand new exclusive 18-inch line called
“B Friends.”
B Friends appears to have 5
basic dolls in the line (Emily, Amber, Megan, Mia and Amelia). There
also appears to be a few “deluxe” or “holiday” dolls (one named Kate,
who looks like Elsa with a very “Frozenesque” looking outfit to help
cash in on the new movie, and a ‘collection’ doll set)—which reminds me
of the Journey Girl strategy of releasing some special edition dolls
around this time of year.
The dolls themselves are quite pretty, if a bit basic. (I’m a bit put
off, for some reason, by the lower painted lashes.) Their hair looks
nice. The clothes are often simply designed, so it doesn’t look like
there is as much detail in the designs as there are with Our Generation,
or even some of the My Life As products. But, given the price? And, if
the dolls are intended for a girl just starting out in her collection?
These dolls will definitely make a lot of Christmas lists this year and
no doubt make doll fans out of many of their new owners.
The line also included a bunch of themed outfits (ballet, unicorn
onesie, holiday dresses, etc.), basic furniture (bed and armoire), a
convertible car, salon chair and a snack counter accessory set. All of
these products are quite reasonably priced (maybe even better priced
than Journey Girls) and while I was there, they were all on sale.
The snack counter (and in fact all furniture and
accessories) appear to just be items from different, repackaged under
the B Friends logo. I’m certain I’ve seen the bed and wardrobe under the
Canadian Newberry line (which I believe is also a Kmart line?) and the
snack counter has a lot of the exact same items as a My Life As design
from a few years ago. So, there was really nothing that captured my
attention as a new, cool or must-have for the doll collectors out there.
