As the minutes ticked down to four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, last-minute sales were completed, the model train dutifully made a final trek along the bottom floor wall, and Australia's oldest bookshop was no more.
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An icon and mainstay of Launceston, Birchalls had closed its doors for the final time after 173 years of trade.
Staff and managers were given little time to contemplate the significance of the occasion throughout the day, as customers in their thousands took the chance to say farewell to what had been a special place to a some, and a home to others.
As the last customer left the store, staff members received a round of applause from the crowd who had gathered outside in Brisbane Street Mall.
Birchalls managing director Graeme Tilley said it had been a big day.
“There's a lot of emotions there,” Mr Tilley said.
“We've been trading for such a long time and Birchalls is such an integral part of Launceston so every customer that comes in has a story about Birchalls, it's quite emotional.”
The response from customers highlighted just how much the store has impacted Tasmanians, with many going out of their way to say thankyou or share memories with staff.
“(We’ve had) a lot of stories about the train - everybody loves the train,” Mr Tilley said.
“Every customer comes in with a story and they are genuinely upset about it and it is a shame and I understand that.
“On the positive side, I’m sure in a year or two there's going to be something new and exciting there to replace it and it’s just a fact of life, things change sometimes.”
Making their final trip on Saturday afternoon, regular Birchalls customers Anita and Warren Reeve said the city had lost a unique attraction.
“It’s really sad,” Mrs Reeve said.
“We always used to get all our school supplies in here and I can remember coming in as a child and we'd get our regular comics and look at all the variety.
“It’s sad to see it go because I don't think you see stores like this now.”