Legendary ‘It’s Tops’ Diner Closes Forever in SF

The ‘Its Tops’ sign, for so long seen on Market street and Octavia, has been officially removed. Here it is with it’s owner Bruce Chapman on Wednesday.  He told one of our readers that Tops is officially ‘closed’.  Photo by Emily Nahmanson.

It’s Tops Coffee Shop, commonly known for its ‘original 1935 diner atmosphere with knotty pine walls dripping with nostalgia, vinyl clad booths and counter stools, and authentic table top chrome ‘Seeburg’ jukeboxes with music from the ’50s’, removed its iconic signs on Wednesday and closed it’s Market street location, forever.

Tops hasn’t been open or served takeout since shelter in place started, but now, there doesn’t seem to be any hope for its recovery.  The only hope is for a relocation, but that is just speculation.

Bruce and Sheila Chapman (the brother and sister team who took over the diner from their dad in 1986) told one of our readers yesterday that they’re officially closed.

Very sorry to report I just witnessed the removal of the It’s Tops signage pic.twitter.com/IIr3M2OTHx

— Anthony Ryan (@printtemps) June 10, 2020

It’s too bad, I’ve personally enjoyed breakfast on many occasions at Top’s, Sheila was always a constant and great server, I used to get that ’49ers Touchdown’ breakfast special after a long night, and sleep like a baby.

So long Tops, you will be missed.