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It's the end of an era as the remaining Toys "R" Us stores closed for good. To mark the closing chapter for generations of children, Rene Johnpiere posted a photo of the franchise's mascot – Geoffrey the Giraffe – packing up and moving on.
We haven't patronized the brick and mortar haven for toys lately, but we're suddenly realizing how significantly bittersweet Geoffrey's departure is.
Johnpiere posted other photos from inside the empty toy shop, with shelves left barren and devoid of life, really hitting home that the store is fading into obscurity.
The store's jingle from the 70s TV commercials "I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys "R" Us kid," resonated with kids during an era where they played outside instead of inside virtual worlds on their handheld devices. But all good things come to an end, and we do grow up.
@EsotericCD I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a toys r us kid. A million toys at toys r us that I can play with...😩😩😩. My son will never know..😞😞😞— HeatherL13 (@HeatherL13) 1530246579.0
It's a sad, sad time.
Toys 'R Us has closed down and if Geoffrey The Giraffe with his little suitcase leaving the empty store and the ide… https://t.co/CPVdKG6p8g— Gina Martin (@Gina Martin) 1530202523.0
@EsotericCD Gosh this is depressing— Morghese (@Morghese) 1530249505.0
The franchise filed for bankruptcy last March and announced it would be closing all of their U.S. stores, confirming the inevitable fate that customers feared was a longtime coming.
The store posted a farewell message on their website.
Thanks to each of you who shared your amazing journey to (and through) parenthood with us, and to every grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, and sister who's built a couch-cushion rocket ship, made up a hero adventure, or invented something gooey. Promise us just this one thing: Don't ever grow up. Play on!"
But nothing hit closer to home more than seeing Geoffrey all packed up and vacating the playground we all grew up in.
Goodbye, Geoffrey the Giraffe. Thank you for everything. #toysrus Photo courtesy of Rene Johnpiere. https://t.co/QLwujI3Isu— Jerry Whitworth (@Jerry Whitworth) 1530143257.0
Have no fear, toy shoppers can still go to Canada for some nostalgia.
@beaniegigi @jimallthetime We're still kids in Canada just so's you know. https://t.co/BMBlhlv1hx— Musicbaum 🇨🇦😬🎼 (@Musicbaum 🇨🇦😬🎼) 1530222782.0
@musicbaum @beaniegigi @jimallthetime So now we gotta drive across the border for toy 'r' us? https://t.co/0KEcCMNkX2— Prince Petty (@Prince Petty) 1530223776.0
@musicbaum @Jamaican_Bloke @beaniegigi @jimallthetime Why does Canada get all the nice things?— The Orioles make me sad, guys 😑 (@The Orioles make me sad, guys 😑) 1530238239.0
So it's bye for now.
@barnivous Thank you for helping raise generations of children. Hopefully we will see you again.. Take care— laura j. (@laura j.) 1530289959.0
This picture has been showing up constantly in my feed and I'm not going to lie: every single time it does I feel a… https://t.co/sYEzvWsYFf— Jeff B. (@Jeff B.) 1530228456.0
@EsotericCD This is heartbreaking. Please, do not use Bye Bye referring to Geoffrey. Can his rights be sold? There… https://t.co/b2M35mw0qz— Howling Cheewawa (@Howling Cheewawa) 1530235413.0
Although we're all gutted over Geoffrey's departure, he's finally getting his well-deserved retirement.
@EsotericCD Looks to me like he finally gets to retire after 50 years with the company.— Antifa Baker (@Antifa Baker) 1530287441.0
@EsotericCD Finally gets a vacation All the kids have grown up. His work is done here.— MKE1985 (@MKE1985) 1530273224.0