The distinctive 1980s design of PDX has become an unlikely hit, appearing on everything from beer bottles to socks. What will happen now the cult carpet is due to be replaced?

Airport carpets, if they are noticed at all, don’t usually merit news stories and they certainly don’t evoke emotional responses when it comes time to replace them. Except, that is, for Portland, Oregon, where the 27-year-old PDX airport carpet is something of a celebrity with a devoted following – it has its own Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages – and the iconic 1980s design has appeared on T-shirts, socks, mugs, tote bags, bike helmets and custom Adidas trainers; a local brewery has even named a beer after it. Fans will no doubt be shedding a tear this weekend as the Port of Portland begins to replace their beloved flooring with a new design.

It’s not an uncommon sight on the PDX concourse to see travellers taking selfies of their shoes on the green, blue and pink carpet – there are more than 20,000 Instagram pictures tagged with the #pdxcarpet hashtag – and for Portlanders it’s a welcome mat that says they have arrived home.

As Cindy Wilson (@mscynthialou) posted: “Seeing the carpet means I’m home. Sad to see it go.”

A Portland airport carpet devotee with matching T-shirt. Photograph: Zachary Tyler George

Designed by SRG Partnership, a local architecture company in the late 80s, the pattern is said to represent the intersecting north-south runways as seen from the control tower or, depending on who you ask, it’s inspired by the symbols on air traffic controllers’ screens at night. A combination of Portland’s wilful idiosyncrasy and social media saw the carpet rise in stature from utilitarian fixture to cult object. It was only a matter of time before someone had the bright idea of selling PDX carpet merchandise, which only helped drive the phenomenon.

However, after nearly 30 years of wear and tear, the 13 acres of carpet are being replaced this weekend – the new design, which riffs on shapes found around the airport, including aeroplane wings, leaves, hiking trails and waterways, hasn’t been met with universal approval. Meanwhile the old carpet has been on its last media tour, featured on radio and TV stations across the nation as locals try to explain the importance of the carpet to bemused presenters.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Portland airport carpet trainers Photograph: Mr Krupa

For Portlanders it’s a sad day as they tweet and Instagram their last selfies.

“I cannot believe the #pdxcarpet will be gone the next time I go to the airport. End of an epic era,” posted Jennifer Locklear (@RandomCran).

One fan, so taken with the design, even went as far as to get a carpet tattoo. Perhaps the new one will inspire such passion, given enough time, although @NewPDXCarpet only has 514 followers so far.