It’s been a haven for Glasgow’s geeks and sci-fi fans for more than 30 years, so it was little surprise to see locals branding the closure of Forbidden Planet’s Buchanan Street store ‘the end of an era’.
Emotional Glasgow Live readers wrote in and reminisced in their droves on Monday following the news, as they shared their own personal memories of the popular comic book emporium.
And while Forbidden Planet’s Sauchiehall Street megastore, which opened in 2019, will continue to operate, there are plenty of locals who may struggle to get over their first love.
Fans shared memories of purchasing their first comic books, meeting sci-fi stars and chatting away to the "super-friendly" staff.
Gordon Armstrong said: "I remember a girl I was going out with years ago who refused to go in there 'in case someone saw her'. I instantly knew the relationship was doomed."
Ronnie McGhie said: "Like many, I love this shop, the feel of, the aura and the very helpful staff.
"But I fully understand they have the bigger shop up the road and sometimes progress sucks. Just a longer walk now."
Ian Murdoch said: "Aww... Many a happy hour, on a wet Friday afternoon (always seemed to be a Friday for some reason), of my brother and I spent in there, thumbing through the comics and the many other amazing things they had. I hate to think just how much money I spent in there over the years."
Amy Bollore said: "Bought my first comic out this shop loved the staff, the new one doesn’t have the same feel."
Pat Simpson said: "We bought our son lots of figures from here. He grew up with this shop and spent hundreds in there - he loved his figures."
Kev McG said: "I used to buy the early Manga Video releases from there, and spent most of my time in the back bit looking for back issues of stories I was reading. Hated going in on a Saturday, it was always rammed."
Tariq Ashrif said: "It was always buzzing on a Saturday morning and always had some really cool stuff and everyone working there and shopping there were super-friendly
Ali Jurati said: " I met some of the cast of Star Trek in this store, including Walter Koenig, Robbie. McNeil and Ethan Philips.
Jennifer Querns said: "Happy time every day after finishing uni, walking to the train station and popping in to look at Doctor Who merch. Such friendly people too. Will miss that wee store but luckily we still have it after the ‘rona purge."
Tony Shergold said: "I remember the excitement when the store first opened back in the late 80s I think it was. No Internet so getting a hold of Fangoria horror magazines from the US was practically impossible until Forbidden Planet came along.
"Spent loads on VHS, magazines and the odd collectable figures. Sad times!"
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Alistair Brooks said: "I must've spent a fortune over the years, bought VHS tapes, figures and reference books. For the amount of books and comics it had it felt the corridor was too narrow for the amount of people in there. At least now there is still a worthy shop on Sauchiehall Street to go to."
Pete Fisher said: "As a youth this was our established meeting place prior to a night on the town. End of an era."
Mhar Gall said: "Love the wee shop has a great atmosphere and I bought my son's first comic from there as well as plenty things for myself. Staff were really nice and helpful and recognised me as a regular customer. Don't like the new larger one in Sauchiehall Street - too busy, loud and impersonal.
Helen Cusker said: "Bought my son loads of stuff for his collection over the years - great wee shop."
Tracey Ann Dunbar said: "I used to get all the X-Files mags in there and I'm still a big fan. Loved this store compared to the other one that opened."
Lesley Crawford said: "My teenage years in the 80s through to my last visit the other day... I always found a new adventure to lose myself in."
Liz Hunter said: "Aww.. That was my son's favourite place when he visited Glasgow and bought amazing stuff for him and his dad as they liked collecting figures for Doctor Who and Star Trek."
Ahead of closure, the compact Buchanan Street shop, which was due to shut down a few years ago, but reopened as a Forbidden Planet outlet store just two years ago, has placed a 60 per cent discount on all its stock.
However, fans will need to be faster than the Silver Surfer in order to grab a bargain - the final day of trading is Wednesday, May 11.
