After months of anticipation and construction delays, the beloved Richmond District ice cream institution Toy Boat by Jane officially reopened its doors on Friday the 13th, marking a triumphant return for one of San Francisco's most cherished neighborhood gathering spots. Hoodline SF was sure to stop by for some sweet treats in it's first week back.. The 43-year-old dessert spot at 401 Clement Street welcomed back eager customers with its signature nostalgic charm intact, plus significant safety upgrades and an expanded menu that promises to make it more of a late-night dessert destination than ever before.
A Lucky Friday the 13th Reopening
The reopening comes after the shop's temporary closure in October 2024 for seismic retrofitting work that began last November. Owner Amanda Michael described the June 13 date as "a very lucky Friday the 13th," with initial limited hours of Friday through Sunday from 12pm to 10pm for the first two weeks before expanding to Wednesday through Sunday operations.
Michael had originally planned to reopen in mid-April 2025, but the delay allowed for more comprehensive improvements. "Things in The City are feeling really positive, and it feels like a really positive time to be reopening," Michael told the SF Examiner in March.
Major Infrastructure Improvements
The months-long closure wasn't just cosmetic. Toy Boat's new space features substantial safety upgrades mandated by the seismic retrofitting project. The renovations included updated counters and walls, upgraded windows and flooring, plus critical infrastructure improvements such as a concrete foundation and steel support beams, as detailed by the Examiner. During the construction period, staff were temporarily laid off, though Michael committed to welcoming back all employees—primarily part-time students—once operations resumed.
The SF Chronicle noted that Michael had explored options for a temporary pop-up location during the closure but found it impossible to secure suitable space. "The city doesn't make it easy, ever," she said of the challenges involved in finding alternative venues.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Ice Cream Shop Hours
One of the most significant changes customers will notice is Toy Boat's evolution into what Michael describes as more of a "late-night dessert destination." The SF Examiner reported that the shop will cater to afternoon and evening crowds with extended hours. "We want to stay open later, because it always felt like we'd be closing the doors when people still wanted to be enjoying ice cream and dessert," Michael explained.
The expanded dessert menu will include "a fair bit of pies" and ice-cream sandwiches—which Michael calls a combination of her "two favorite things: ice cream and cookies"—along with new sundae offerings and different cake flavors, according to the same SF Examiner report. However, the shop will continue serving its usual ice cream flavors from Double Rainbow, Mitchell's Ice Cream, and Hometown Creamery.
A Legacy Business with Deep Community Roots
Toy Boat's significance extends far beyond its ice cream offerings—it holds official recognition as a San Francisco Legacy Business, cementing its status as a cultural institution. The business has operated continuously since 1982, when it first opened as an eclectic dessert cafe filled with vintage toys and nostalgic memorabilia, creating what many consider a uniquely San Francisco experience.
Michael's connection to the business runs deep. Richmond Sunset News reported that she grew up visiting Toy Boat as a high school student and later brought her own children there. When original owners Jesse and Roberta Fink decided to retire during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Michael purchased the business specifically to preserve its legacy and community role.
Part of Larger Bay Area Dessert Cafe Trend
Toy Boat's reopening aligns with a broader trend identified by food industry observers. SF Chronicle noted in January 2025 that "dessert cafes are on the rise" across the Bay Area, with places where customers "can actually sit down and leisurely devour a slice of cake" becoming increasingly popular. The publication highlighted that these establishments often serve as gathering places for people who want late-night hangout spots without alcohol.
This trend reflects changing consumer preferences, with industry analysis showing that ice cream businesses are "redefining their traditional models by exploring new revenue streams and customer experiences" to stay competitive in 2025.
Richmond District Business Landscape
While downtown San Francisco has struggled with business closures, SF Standard research indicates that residential neighborhoods like the Richmond District have shown more resilience. The analysis found that "every single neighborhood other than the Financial District and Chinatown netted overall new businesses" in recent periods, suggesting a more stable business environment for neighborhood-serving establishments like Toy Boat.
The Richmond District has maintained its character as a destination for diverse, community-oriented businesses, with Clement Street serving as a commercial corridor that attracts both locals and visitors seeking authentic San Francisco experiences.
Looking Forward
The reopening represents more than just the return of a popular ice cream shop—it signals the preservation of a piece of San Francisco's cultural fabric that many feared might be lost. Michael's decision to maintain the shop's essential character while adding modern safety features and expanded offerings demonstrates how legacy businesses can adapt while preserving their core identity.
For neighborhood families, teenagers, and ice cream enthusiasts who have made Toy Boat part of their San Francisco story for over four decades, the reopening marks the return of a cherished gathering place where vintage toys, creative sundaes, and community connections continue to define the experience.
