Before the invention of the Toys R Us super-store, there were a lot, and I mean a lot, of smaller family owned local toy stores. You could usually find them at the greatest of all1950s inventions, the local shopping mall. My favorite was King Norman's Kingdom Of Toys at the Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City.
Fun stuff I remember buying there include Adams Novelties (fake barf; 'disappearing' ink; the whoopie cushion; etc.), Beatles Cards, Hot Wheels Cars, my GI Joe and all his gear. There were "Ugly Stickers" that were the absolute rage for a while in the mid 60s -- Long before Garbage Pail Kids and PokeMon. There were little green army men and all sorts of games like "Time Bomb," "Operation" and "Twister." And one of my favorites was a Munsters-themed "Colorforms" toy.
King Norman's sponsored a Mattel Toys "Hot Wheels" demonstration one Saturday that I was determined to see. Unfortunately, Like most 8 year-olds, the concept of time was still new to me. I walked all the way down Southgate Avenue only to see the Mattel people putting the tracks and cars away in truck. Although disappointed, I still got to spend some time in the toy store!
The King himself was actually Norman Rosenberg, a navy man who settled in San Francisco after World War II. His first store was on Clement Street in San Francisco where he worked the counter with his wife and business partner, Doris. By the 1970s, they had 21 stores. From 1954 to 1961 King Norman even had a Saurday morning kids show on KGO - TV, that I don't remember ever seeing. But for me, the King Norman's toy store in Westlake was like a wonderland.
Most, if not all of the stores are gone now, but Mr. Rosenberg is still alive to the best of my knowledge, retired in his 80s and living in the South Bay. His wife, Doris, a native San Franciscan and a big force behind their business enterprises, passed away in January 2008.
I remember King Norman's in Westlake too. I lived on Fairlawn Ave...and easy walk down Southgate to the mall. I remember the audio loop that they had playing in the store with King Norman's voice. Quite a place. My mom actually hated the place because she thought Queen Norman treated everyone like they were a shoplifter....LOL!! Do you remember Johnson's Tamales next door??
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response.... been away. I do not remember the tomale place. But the mall back then ('60s) was all out-doors, had a fountain, a Roos Atkins Men's store, and a GREAT music store (Westlake Music) where my brother and I both took lessons and bought our first instruments!
DeleteI worked at that store during high school and college, what great times. And I miss Johnsons...
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ReplyDeleteGrowing up in SF in the 60's and 70's, I remember many things. But King Norman's on Clement St. was my all time favorite. When I "graduated" from the 6th grade, my grandmother took me to lunch at the Hamburger Haven (just down the street), then on to King Norman's. Wow! I haven't thought about them in such a long time. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteRemember the King Norman's Birthday Box? It came with all you needed for a birthday party plus a cake from Adeline's bakery, also in the mall. I worked in the mall later in the 80's while in college at Yardage Fair and The Fashion. Good times...
ReplyDeleteI lived on 14th ave between California and Clement. My friends and I spent many an hour drooling over all the cool stuff in King Norman's... I live in Alaska now, but each time I visit and cruse Clement my minds eye still sees K.N.'s in spite of the change...
ReplyDeleteB.T.W., I too enjoyed Hamburger Haven! Those days and these memories are awesome!
Remember how packed that place was! every square inch was used. I loved building models and entering them in the contest, only to loose to some kid whose dad did the work. What was the name of the chicken place next door? I also miss Westlake bowl
ReplyDeleteThe chicken place was called "broasted Chicken" I think. I guess it was "broiled a little & roasted a little". I miss the old Westlake. My parents moved in to the westlake apts in 1960 and didnt end up moving out of daly city until 1988 and in all that time Westlake never changed one bit. It sure has now though. I have a lot of good memories of that old mall. Siiigh...
DeleteMy dad used to take me to the King Norman's at Westlake and when we would go to the mall in San Bruno, he bought his Union Pacific electric model train set and additional cars there. Wish they were still here so I could get my train set.
ReplyDeleteWhere was this King Norman Toy store location on Clement Street or what replaced it? I know Hamburger Haven is still there.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I believe the address I was 645-651 Clement, I moved to the area in 82 and I think King Norman had sold to Kabee toys around this time
DeleteThanks for this memory and being out there on the "interwebs". For some reason this store popped into my mind today. Our pediatrician growing up was in the medical offices above the toy store in Westlake. Remember having a particularly "harrowing" visit (ear lanced) and being treated to a small gift from King Normans. Fond memories.
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