Before Netflix, Disney + and Amazon Prime took over our evenings, there was a time when the highlight of a night in was a trip to your nearest Xtra-Vision. There was something special about walking into your local Xtra-Vision on a Friday night and being overwhelmed by the sight of rows of DVD and VHS cases while taking in the faint scent of popcorn.
In its heyday, Xtra-Vision was always busy with families, couples and groups of teenagers scanning the shelves, hoping to get their hands on the latest release before someone else nabbed the last copy.
The big blockbusters always seemed to be out of stock, and when you questioned it with the staff, more often than not, you'd be told to check back tomorrow in case a copy was returned.
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Before DVDs, we rented VHS tapes, and there was nothing worse than popping a film into the player only to realise that the previous renter had left it with the credits.
Then came DVDs, with their shiny, futuristic feel, they offered extra features and also no need for rewinding. However, DVDs introduced a new nightmare - Scratches. One tiny mark and your film would freeze at the worst possible moment, usually right before something dramatic happened.
Xtra-Vision wasn't just about films, it was as much about grabbing a treat to enjoy with them too. From popcorn, grab bags of Maltesers and even the odd pick 'n' mix, a visit wasn't complete without a last-minute impulse buy at the counter.
We also shouldn't forget the membership cards. Those wee laminated things were a rite of passage, proof that you were old enough to rent films on your own. If you were lucky, you had a parent's account to rely on. But, if you built up enough late fees, there was no hiding from the consequences.
Speaking of late fees, they were the bane of every renter's life. You swore that you would return the film on time, only to find it still sitting by the TV three days later. Then you would have to do the walk of shame back to the shop, hoping the fee wasn't too steep.
Like many beloved institutions, Xtra-Vision eventually fell victim to the rise of digital streaming. The last stores closed their doors in Northern Ireland in 2016, and with them went a piece of our childhood.
These days, films are available at the click of a button, but something is missing. The excitement of browsing the shelves, the joy of securing the last copy of a blockbuster and the ritual of pressing 'play' on a film you had been waiting all week to watch are all but distant memories.
For those of us who grew up with Xtra-Vision, Friday nights will never be quite the same.
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English (United States) ·