As a child of the 1980s, I’ve always been a Toys“R”Us kid.

I was no stranger to action figures like He-Man or Star Wars or their amazing vehicles and play-sets. Some of them are slowly being handed off to my boys and a few sit on my desk as reminders to keep dreaming and playing.

My memories remain clear of standing in the toy rows with my blonde bowl cut and suspenders at the Jantzen Beach (Portland, Ore.) Toys“R”Us, my go-to spot. Some of my favorite toys came from there ranged from the Ghostbusters’ fire house to the many, many G.I. Joe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures.

In retrospect, the big toy box store may seem like a hook for children into consumerism, with the constant barrage of cartoons and cereal promotions. But I believe Toys“R”Us was always an experience first.

For me, and my parents — God bless them — a trip to Toys“R”Us meant quite some time perusing the aisles, playing and carefully spending birthday money.

Within a week of reading about the initial planned closure of the Silverdale store, our closest Toys“R”Us located in Kitsap County about an hour away, I made plans to take my wife and children to see and walk through the mega-toy store experience one last time.

Outlets report that massive debt is one reason for the closure, as well as consumers opting to go online or to other physical retailers, and children choosing other options in the digital age rather than plastic figures.

The latest announcement is that more than 700 stores will shutter and more than 30,000 people will be unemployed. When I heard, I sunk in my chair.

Going to a giant toy store like Toys“R”Us may become an afterthought for middle age folks like me — similar to going to a video store on Friday nights to check out a movie or buying the latest album at a music store.

In Sequim, I’ve seen our video rental stores, book stores and several other retailers shut down over the years. Of course, with everything so instantaneous today, it must be a real grind for physical retailers combating OnDemand, iTunes, Amazon and so many online options.

(As a side note, it was announced in February that Best Buy would stop selling CDs and Target would continue to scale back working on a more consignment-like basis. People are consuming music and information more than ever but not necessarily paying for it, so retailers are finding other options.)

Call me nostalgic, but I enjoy holding, looking and sorting my books and music. And I’m also not so stubborn to say that I don’t use those services or remind readers that this newspaper is available digitally along with print subscriptions.

So back to Toys“R”Us.

What I thought would be my last trip down memory lane was put on repeat as I drove my family to Silverdale for one last time to visit the toy store.

It was interesting to see how much of a difference a few weeks of inventory sales makes with shelves practically cleared and a glut of items you wouldn’t want pre- or post-sale.

However, we took our time again going through the rows, playing and reminiscing and naming every character we could find.

At one point, I heard a barrage of beeps and honks. I turned around and saw my oldest boy had pushed every single button of trucks along the row.

I smiled.

That’s what being a kid is all about.

I wanted my children to have one last positive memory of a place that I had growing up and I think I succeeded. Thankfully, we have several local options for great toys like Dungeness Kids Co. and the Co-Op Farm & Garden.

I suppose my takeaway is to embrace that part of you that doesn’t want to grow up. Go exploring. Read a book from grade school. Play cards or a game with friends. Push some buttons that only a kid would do.

I think Geoffrey the Giraffe would approve.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Despite the impending closure, the Nash boys found visiting Toys”R”Us in Silverdale an enjoyable experience for the last time.