The Ark Toy Store

This toy store in Presidio Heights was one of the best I’ve ever been to — and the Noe Valley location was good too. Not anymore! They’ve completed removed all their books, puzzles, etc from their back room. No more old fashioned, metal push cars. Empty shelves everywhere. And signs posted stating «all sales are final». This prompted me ask the clerk if they were closing. He said «no, we are just making room for more items. That’s hard to believe that they need to clear out about 75% of their inventory to make more room for new inventory. It’s my feeling that they are selling as much as they can before a fire sale. This store was such a gem, sorry to see them go… or at least get to this state. Guess it’s more online shopping for me

GUTTED! I went here today with my son and his $ 100 gift card only to find that the store has closed :-(

The employees here were very unfriendly and did not like children –ha! Now they are closed and filed for bankruptcy. If you have store credit or unused gift cards like I do, this is what you can do 1) go to
2) under quick links, go to «File an Electronic Proof of Claim» 3) Fill out the form — case number 15 – 30 915.

T’was the season to be jolly.
We came by here for a last minute Christmas gift and the human interaction was far better than Bartleby the Scrivener/​manager of the aforementioned review.
It was refreshing to have someone take a moment to interact with customers in a positive way.

I purchased a drawing book set that supposedly came with markers and magnets for a friend’s baby birthday. Once she received the present she told me that the markers were missing. I did not catch it at the store because it was packaged up. I went back to the store and told them what happened and that it was quite embarrassing gifting someone a damaged item that was not on sale or discounted, it was full price! Unfortunately when I came back they did not have this item anymore so I couldn’t ask for the markers from another box. The guy at the shop did not even offer an apology, he gave me 10 seconds of his time and a «tough luck, lady!» attitude! How rude! I am an unsatisfied customer because you sold me a damaged item at full price, the least you can do is get off your high horse and apologize! Never shopping there again.

Other reviews have made it a big deal if the staff is helpful/​unhelpful, so I’m going to chime in on my experience and say HELPFUL. The guy even called another store when my puzzle map was no longer available, but I still bought other cool ring toss and spirograph Christmas gifts for my niece and nephew and saw other LEGOS, wood constructs, marble roller coaster kit, play tea sets, stuffed animals of the Australian or the exotic animal variety, smash ball set, little airplanes, alphabet games, and puzzles. Admittedly a lot of it is good for age 3 – 8. Emphasis here on educational and European style toys, although, because of the size of the store there is a limit to what they can carry. But let’s sum it up: SPECIALTY SMART TOYS. Oh by the way, the guy ran out to my car on the street when he remembered the directions of the ice cream shop I was trying to get to after our friendly conversation. So that other review of that complaining mom must be a loony toon, if you get what I’m saying. #likereally

The other day I saw the review by S.S. about an incident at the Ark on Sept. 30^th. I have been shopping at this particular Ark location for several years and have always received great service. We actually live closer to the location in Pacific Heights but we prefer the Noe Valley store because we actually receive one-​on-​one service and we love the neighborhood too. The other location always seems understaffed or they have a can’t-be-bothered attitude. Everyone at the Noe Valley store is super helpful and I love the cute gift wrapping. I have gotten to know the worker there in question, Sean, and we have always enjoyed our visits. Meltdowns happen. It’s an inevitable occurrence with a young child. My own daughter has had the same thing happen. She wants something that she suddenly gets attached to and won’t let go. It’s a good parenting opportunity. I teach her that things she wants need to be paid for. Sean has actually been great with her when we’ve been in that situation. They have this music box with twirling ladybugs he has wound up to distract her from the object she’s got her arms around. We get it rung up, there have certainly been some tears, but she’s got her toy, another stab at a lesson learned complete, and we’re on our way. It’s not a big deal. Just goes with the territory. Everyone at that store has been patient and understanding. Maybe take a step back, reflect on your own behavior and the example you’re setting for the child before you drag someone’s name through the mud for something that probably happens everyday at toy stores everywhere. I must also add that the reviewer used Sean’s name several times, yet remained anonymous his or herself. Rather a cowardly move in my opinion. Anyway, we are longtime customers of the Ark. We always receive great and friendly service from everyone who works there (including Sean!), and you better believe I’ll be going back!”

I live in the neighborhood and stop by frequently with my daughter, who is a toddler. The male cashier, Sean, always provides terrible customer service, scowls at us, and is extremely unhelpful and unfriendly.
This weekend my mom was visiting and wanted to buy a present for my daughter, so we stopped in on our way home from the farmer’s market. Sean was characteristically unhelpful and gave us dirty looks as we looked around the store. My daughter settled on a stuffed animal, which she hugged tightly and wouldn’t let go. So my mom went to buy it for her. Sean refused to ring it up without us physically placing it on the counter. We asked if he could ring up another identical one. He refused and stood there staring at us with a nasty look on his face. He didn’t move, smile, or make any effort to be kind or understanding, even upon seeing that my daughter was refusing to let go of the stuffed animal and protesting heavily when we tried to remove it from her hands.
I ended up lifting my daughter up onto the counter and holding the tag out for Sean to scan as my daughter screamed and cried. This man literally made my daughter cry. I will not be returning to my neighborhood toy store after this experience.
If you don’t like kids, don’t work in a toy store. I hope the owners read this and other reviews about this cashier’s negative attitude and replace him.

Great selection of creative and interactive toys for kids.

Expensive but its great that it carries many of my (Waldorf) story books that I have a hard time finding anywhere else.

I honestly wasn’t that impressed with their selection of toys. I did end up buying a gift for my friend’s daughter and just got a bitchy treatment from the sales person. I’m from overseas, and automaticalky assumed I couldn’t speak English as she didn’t even wait for my response when she asked a question that was frankly unintelligble because she was speaking to me looking elsewhere. The giftwrapping looks impressive but the way the box was taped looks sloppy. I’ve been to better toy stores than this one for sure.

Attempt to Shop Local + Toy Drive Time +
Festively Decorated Tree + Pile of Stuffed Animals + Lotsa Legos + Wall O’ Games + Difficult Decisions +
(Wooden Alphabet Puzzle + $ 16.99) + (6 Brightly Colored Containers of Play-​Doh + $ 10.99) + (Mr. Potato Head Nostalgia + $ 15.99 + Disbelief He is 60 Years Old) +
2 Unhelpful Employees Fiddling with Window Displays + 1 Clueless Cashier + Belated Realization That 2 of the Toys were Made in China =
HO-​HO-​HUM

Love. the. variety.

This is a nice little toy store in Noe Valley. For me,
positives are:
* selection of toys are unique and are not the type of cheap ‘Made in China’ toys you would see in most stores.
* local store
* provide gift wrapping
negatives are:
* small selection
* didn’t really get that extra attention I usually expect from some of the smaller local stores, ie «Could I help you find the toy you are looking for?‘
Overall, great little store, I would probably give it 3.5 stars. I’ll definitely be back b/​c the limited selection could be b/​c I was stopping by after the holidays.

My son and I are so lucky to live in a neighborhood with a real neighborhood toy store. Old Skool, yo! This little (emphasis on little) store sure does pack a lot of toy/​fun-​filled goodness into it’s confines.
It’s just up the block from our house and most times we just wander in and take a look. But on the special occasions when we buy something BOY OH BOY! What to get? What to get?
It’s funny because when you’re a kid and your folks pay for something you want everything! But when the dollars come out of your little wallet then you really take your time looking around and trying out each special goodie. My son leaves his scooter at the door and doesn’t retrieve it for at least 25 minutes.
This place is more expensive than target (duh!) but it offers so much more in that it’s local and friendly and unique. Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a bit more (if you can) for the same item that comes with an experience.
Legos, books, dolls, wooden toys, fantasy play costumes, marbles, stickers, science, cars, puzzles, collectibles, games.
Great store

I came here searching for something for my friend’s son. I was asking a lot of questions, just me and the guy working there. He seemed a little annoyed with me even though he wasn’t really doing anything else. I didn’t find anything for Henry, maybe because it was pricier and maybe because a lot of the toys were sort of boring. I like those wooden dolls, but they’re so expensive, I know they’re imported from somewhere in Europe, but really? I can’t imagine coming here as a child with like 3 dollars and finding anything good, sadness.

Pricey and friendly. I like how they have stuff imported from France, Germany and other places. All very high quality stuff and quasi-​European. And their gift wrapping is phenomenal! Gotta buy a gift for a kid or baby? This is the place.

Truly great customer service & a wide-​selection of toys and more. Price is reasonable & they carry lots of toys you won’t find at the big-​chain stores like wood toys. They also carry books & backpacks.
NOTE: Make sure not to bring your child here, they may break your wallet!

It’s a toy store. For children. If you don’t like children, you shouldn’t work in a toy store. Just a thought.
I went into this toy store today and was ready to forgive the high prices because it’s a quaint store and a locally owned. But the man working there seemed to be irritated with every child in the store. He hovered, wrenched toys out of the children’s hands, and even carried on a phone conversation during which he exclaimed loudly «Yes, it’s VERY loud in here» as if the noise being made by the children playing was the most annoying sound he’d ever heard. Weird.

Among the last of a dying breed of small neighborhood toy stores in San Francisco. Not too many of these left. Hey, anyone remember King Norman’s? Yow, that was a long time ago! Anyway, The Ark is a small place, but it does have some interesting toys and novelty items in there so it’s always a fun store to look into while strolling down 24^th Street.
Loved their little Mopar toy cars (much nicer than Hot Wheels) and the wide variety of inexpensive, but fun plastic figurines by the front window. Great little place!