San Francisco’s beloved Toy Boat scoop shop, renowned for its ice cream, bakery treats, and vintage toy collection, will temporarily close for extensive renovations, according to owner Amanda Michael. The final day to enjoy popular items like the peanut butter cup sundae and salted white chocolate oatmeal cookie will be Thursday.
Michael explained that the closure is necessary to undertake significant seismic retrofit work on the building. “We can’t operate here while it’s happening,” she said. During the construction period, the shop’s staff, primarily part-time students, will be temporarily laid off, but Michael intends to bring them back when Toy Boat reopens in the spring.
“We explored options for a pop-up, but it was impossible to find a space. The city doesn’t make it easy,” she noted.
Located at 401 Clement St., Toy Boat has served as a gathering place for families, children, and teenagers in the Richmond District for over 40 years. The previous owners, Roberta Mindich-Fink and Jesse Fink, sold the business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Michael, who also owns Jane the Bakery, acquired Toy Boat to help preserve its legacy. “I grew up on it as well,” she said. “It’s sad we have to shut down for renovations, but we look forward to being a shiny, happy new Toy Boat.”
The planned upgrades will include new floors, windows, walls, counters, and improvements to the front door for ADA accessibility. The shop’s extensive collection of vintage toys and posters will be carefully boxed and stored, ready to return alongside the iconic coin-operated riding horse, Butterscotch.
While the construction timeline remains uncertain, Michael is optimistic that the renovations will not exceed three to four months, coinciding with the ice cream shop’s slow season. In the meantime, customers can visit Jane’s other locations on Fillmore Street, Geary Boulevard, Larkin Street, or in Tiburon, though ice cream is not available at those sites.
“We’re definitely going to come back as soon as we can,” Michael affirmed.
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