Jeffrey’s Toys, San Francisco’s oldest toy store which served as an inspiration for the beloved Pixar classic “Toy Story,” has announced the permanent shutdown of its store after nearly a century in business.
Jefferey’s is the latest casualty of San Francisco’s widespread crime and violence problems, inflation, a decrease in consumer spending and the demise of retail across the world. According to the store’s attorney, Ken Sterling, Jeffrey’s Toys has been struggling for several years due to numerous factors, including the perils of the downtown environment. Jeffrey’s Toys has been a part of San Francisco’s community for 86 years and its closure marks the end of an era.
Founded in 1938 by the Luhn family, Jeffrey’s Toys expanded across the Bay Area, but its final location in the Financial District of San Francisco recently fell victim to several challenges. Its founders, Morton and Birdie Luhn, originally opened a five-and-dime variety store called “Birdies Variety,” but after World War II, they rebranded the store as “Birdie’s Toy House,” which sold toys exclusively. The store passed down to their grandson, Mark Luhn, and his son, Matthew Luhn, is the present owner.
Matthew Luhn played a significant role in the Pixar movie’s production, working as a story artist and writer in the mid-1990s. Mark Luhn also contributed to the movie by supplying the film’s creators with ideas. The store itself furnished the creative team with reference material for all of the “Toy Story” films.
The decline of the company began to appear during the pandemic when the store saw revenue decimated. The family paid close to $20,000 each month in rent, making it challenging to continue keeping the store open. Additionally, San Francisco’s rampant violent crimes severely impacted the shop’s staff. Mark Luhn shared an incident where one of his former employees was pushed against the shop’s wall and nearly stabbed.
The impact of Jeffrey’s Toys’ closing extends beyond the financial loss to the Luhn family and the city’s retail industry. The cherished store has also become a favorite retail spot for families and children. San Francisco has long been known for its tourism, making Jeffrey’s Toys an attractive destination for tourists seeking unique retail experiences.