Over the years there's been plenty of change in Dublin city and we've lost quite a few of our town's old favourite shops.
From the iconic Cleary’s to Boyers and everything in between, we've decided to reel in the years and take a look back, because nothing reignites the senses more than a bit of nostalgia. We're living in the future, things have been made a lot easier for us now, there's no Nokia's, no discmans and mostly everything is cashless now - it's a different world.
But here's a look back on some of our favourites that are gone but should not be forgotten:
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Xtra Vision
You knew it was going to be a good night when the smell of popcorn hit your nostrils. Long before the days of on-demand TV and streaming services, there was movie renting. Initially home to VHS tapes that may-or-may-not have needed to be rewound before you could watch the film and later offering the far more convenient DVDs, your local Xtra-Vision was the place to go to sort your weekend movie marathon.
Abercrombie and Fitch
There is no Abercrombie and Fitch store left in Ireland as the retailer closes its location on College Green in Dublin. The shop with no lights would’ve saved plenty of money on electricity bills but it’s permanently closed and now focuses on online sales.
Dolphin Discs
They used to be everywhere! At one stage, there was one on Marlborough St, two around the corner on Talbot Street (right across the road from each other) and then the main shop was on Moore Street. They had everything from tapes to Celtic chanting CDs, the Pope's Latin Mass or any number of box sets of diddly-aye music or rebel songs.
Soccer City
The Aston Quay shop was once the go-to place to buy a replica soccer shirt in the capital.
Heaton's
This retailer had everything from kitchen items, clothes, home furnishing to DVDs - they even had Sports World upstairs, the perfect place to keep Dad busy during the family shop. But the company was replaced with BrandMax/ Sports Direct and they’re offering branded goods at discounted prices now.
Road Records
The beloved Fade Street independent record shop closed its doors on 24 July 2010, leaving Dublin music lovers feeling absolutely heartbroken.
Clery's
Probably the most high-profile inclusion, the iconic department store was gone in an instant after closing its doors on 12 June 2015 - but it will still always remain as the most popular meeting point in Dublin.
Dunkin Donuts
There was one on Grafton Street and another in UCD's student union building. But chances are they were gone before you knew they existed!
Boyers
Another iconic department store and a recent entry to the list, Boyers closed its doors in January 2016.
Mad Hatter
The Dublin hat shop was especially iconic for the Alice in Wonderland mural at its storefront.
Debenhams
The 243-year-old brand previously had four stores in Dublin. Online brand Boohoo bought Debenhams in a £55 million deal that meant we would no longer be seeing Debenhams shops open for business and they’ll now be predominantly online.
Woolworths
Woolworths on Grafton Street was once as iconic as any shop in the capital, opening its doors in 1914, before closing in 1984 along with 17 other Woolworths stores throughout Ireland.
HMV
Gone, back and gone again, HMV we hardly knew you - but you were great for Nintendo games back in the day.
Wendy's
The famous US food chain - which is ironically headquartered in Dublin, Ohio - opened its first international restaurant on Talbot Street, before it closed in the early 90s.
Chicago Pizza Pie Factory
The hugely popular American pizza spot - memorable for its Chicago Bears mural and making customers stand on their seats while staff sang happy birthday - was a mainstay at Stephens Green in the 80s and 90s, before it was replaced by TGI Fridays.
If you could have one of them back, which would it be? Let us know in the comments below.
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