KB Toys Names New Head of Stores

KB Toys Inc. (Pittsfield, Mass.) has named James Solon executive vp, operations and stores. In this capacity, he will have responsibility for store operations, planning and construction, logistics and distribution and real estate functions and will report directly to president and ceo Gregory Staley.

“Jim joins KB Toys with extensive retail experience as a merchant, head of stores and chief operating officer,” said Staley. “His leadership abilities and strong operating skills will enable Jim to contribute greatly to the resurgence and long-term success of KB Toys.”

Solon spent 13 years at Weinstocks, a department store division of the now-defunct Carter Hawley Hale Stores Inc. (Los Angeles), where he ultimately was senior vp of operations. He spent 10 years at the now-defunct Montgomery Ward (Chicago), where he became vp of operations for the Lechmere Division and vp of stores. Most recently, he was the chief operating officer at Harlem Furniture, a specialty retailer based in Chicago.

KB Toys, one of the nation’s largest toy retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2004, resulting in nearly 600 store closures. It emerged from bankruptcy in August 2005 with a new owner, Prentice Capital Management LP. Staley is the former president of Toys “R” Us (Wayne, N,.J.).