SF’s Beloved (and Oldest) Toy Shop “Jeffrey’s Toys” May Close After Holidays

Sadly, ABC7 has shared the news that San Francisco’s oldest toy store, Jeffrey’s Toys, located at 45 Kearny Street, may sadly close its doors permanently after the holidays. If you have any last-minute Christmas shopping, consider stepping into Jeffrey’s Toys to help keep the family-owned and operated toy store afloat. They have stated that if business doesn’t pick up soon, they may have to close. Owner Matthew Luhn has shared that this week is critical and will help decide the store’s fate if they can continue after Christmas.

Jeffrey’s Toys has a large and unique variety of toys plus they offer free gift wrapping on purchases. The toy store once had 7 locations in San Francisco, but just one location remains.

Jeffrey’s Toys History

Jeffrey’s Toys, the oldest toy store in San Francisco, began as a five & dime variety store in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1938. It was called Birdie’s Variety Store, named after Birdie Luhn. The store was small, but sold everything from housewares, hardware, records and even toys. After WW2, the US experienced a baby boom and everyone wanted toys! So Birdie, and her husband Morton, transformed their little variety store to Birdie’s Toy House in 1953, selling only toys. Along with the thousands of servicemen returning home after the war, so did Morton and Birdie’s two sons, Manny and Joel. Manny and Joel soon joined the family business, and the toy stores grew in number. The toy store locations expanded to include Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, and Oakland. In 1966, Birdie’s Toy House was renamed Jeffrey’s Toys, after Manny and Mildy’s youngest son, Jeff, and opened four stores in San Francisco. Decades later, the Luhn family still owns and operates Jeffrey’s Toys at 45 Kearny Street in San Francisco.