Photo Of Geoffrey The Giraffe Leaving Toys R Us Is Heartbreaking

Shops go into administration all the time and people barely blink an eye. After all, they're shutting down because we've found a more convenient alternative in online retailers.

But Toys R Us shutting down really tugs at the heartstrings.

The giant toy brand announced that it would be closing down all of its 800-odd stores in the U.S. back in March, and the dreaded day has finally arrived.

A photo of Geoffrey the Giraffe, Toys R Us's legendary mascot, standing with his suitcase in an empty store is doing the rounds, and it's BREAKING OUR DAMN HEARTS.

We're sure we're not alone in feeling pretty sad and nostalgic about this situation.

For several generations, a trip to Toys R Us meant a new Furby, a Bop It, a Tamagotchi, some Lego, a Nerf gun, even a Yo-Yo.

It was the site of many happy childhood weekends and even visiting as an adult - and maybe taking a sly whizz around on a scooter - was great fun.

But the internet age, where it's quicker, cheaper, and easier to buy your toys online, have spelled the end for the toy store.

Geoffrey has been the mascot since 1969, appearing in adverts and on branding across the globe. After five decades at the helm, he's packed his little suitcase and made his way out past all the empty shelves.

Over on Twitter, people are sharing their tributes to the childhood store and its mascot.

As if that wasn't enough to put a lump in your throat, when you now visit the U.S. site, you're met with this message.

Toys R Us

"Don't ever grow up. Play on." ARE YOU KIDDING?! We're too sad to play now.

Topics: Toys, US News, Twitter, Nostalgia

Daisy Jackson

Daisy Jackson is a freelance writer, who has previously worked at Shortlist Media and Trinity Mirror. She has written about the Manchester terror attacks and appeared on BBC Five live to discuss the aftermath, as well as interviewing an orthopaedic surgeon in Syria.