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.
14 Comments
Every single year for the last 30 years on the way to a big day at pride or the Folsom street fair we would have a big wonderful breakfast with sheila as our server. It was always a perfect start to those magical weekends. I can’t believe it is gone! Like every other wonderful place that made San Francisco so special. I really miss my old city!
This is TRAGIC.
I googled It’s Tops YESTERDAY to make sure they were still open! I’m heartbroken.
I will miss this place. The Dick’s double cheeseburger was a staple on pay-day. Starting to wonder why I pay this much rent now…. Hmmm.
wait this is the worst. i love its tops. i love its tops so much im gonna make an account just to leave this comment.
Any reason given? Was it landlord related?
Please, please, please learn the difference between “its” and “it is.” It was taught in 5th grade, again in junior high, again in high school. If you’ve figured out “your” and “you’re,” you can actually do this.
I had been visiting It’s Tops since the early 80s. Lived around the corner for many years. What comfort you provided, on so many levels. Thank you, Chapman family!
Knowing the difference between “its” and “it’s” is important, but does nothing to help with the name of this place, because it is a name. A name can be Its, It’s, Itz, or whatever it wants to be.
Like 17 reasons why another landmark gone forever.
Goodbye San Francisco. Hello Sales Force.
Super sad. First diner I tried in SF when I moved here in ‘94-made me feel at home before I knew what home was.
Emily Nahmanson’s photo actually shows a crime in progress. That historic art deco neon blade sign is protected, and removing it out of ignorance is no excuse. It’s so absolutely unique, irreplaceable and a real anchor to the city’s past. The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang traces “It’s tops” to 1935, the very year the diner opened. Hell, the neon still worked!
I will be contacting the city’s Preservation Officer and the commissioners of the Historic Preservations Commission at the SF Planning Department to find out what has happened to the sign. At the very least it should be displayed, perhaps in a place like the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale.
I implore the Chapmans not to destroy the sign, and for Stuart to follow up on this. If you care about the fate of the sign, please contact the Historic Preservation Commission.
Very sad but not surprising. Breakfast food is the least amenable to takeout and that was huge for them.
So sad to see this one go. Many meals with my kids there. Will miss the liver & onions. Farewell to a bit of the old SF.