Toys R Us is shutting up to 182 Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores across nearly 40 states as it tries to emerge from bankruptcy. On the list are 48 Toys R Us, 95 Babies R Us, 33 side-by-side combos, and 2 outlets.

The closings will start in early February and run through mid-April, the company said. Hardest hit will be California where 27 stores will be shuttered.

“The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus,” CEO David Brandon said in a letter posted Tuesday night on the company’s web site.

Gerrick Johnson, toy industry analyst for BMO Capital Markets, said that “While the number of stores to be closed is higher than our original 100 store expectation, the mix of stores is more heavily weighted towards Babies “R” Us stores than anticipated, resulting in a net decrease in toy selling space that is roughly in line with our previous expectation.”

In filing for bankruptcy last September, Toys R Us sought to restructure $5 billion of long-term debt.In getting approval for $3.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing, Toys R Us has said it will use the financing to apply a new sheen to its stores, including installing more interactive displays.  It also will spend $276 million over a three-year period starting this year on converting more locations to the side-by-side format (Inside Licensing Sept. 19).

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Keith Phillips, Richmond, VA, approved Toys R Us’ plan to pay landlords up to $1.3 million to extend store leases beyond an April 16 deadline. The retailer had argued it needed more time decide which of its 880 U.S. stores to close. Toys R Us also has received approval to extend the July 15 deadline for filing a reorganization plan.