By Elsie Scott

Growing Up Art & Crafts at 248 West Portal Ave., in the heart of the West Portal District, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month.

The store houses a variety of art materials curated for people of all ages. Some of the supplies sold include paint, clay, popsicle sticks, yarn and craft kits.

The store is a local staple for children who attend West Portal Elementary School and families in the neighborhood. Its warm and welcoming presence complements the local atmosphere in the West Portal District, according to store owner Jude Friedman.

“My initial thought in opening Growing Up Art & Crafts was to have a store that is convenient for people to come in if they are doing school projects, need pipe cleaners, clay or paint,” Friedman said. “As far as being convenient for people – whether you want to pick out a toy or a gift for a birthday party – people know they can come in and pick something and can get it wrapped and then head to the party.”

Friedman had been a part of two local children’s stores in West Portal prior to opening Growing Up Art & Crafts. She first started at Toy Village at 159 West Portal Ave. and then opened another store with a similar name, Growing Up, at 240 West Portal Ave., a toy store that specialized in board games, puzzles and toys.

After 24 years, Friedman wanted to explore her interest in selling toys and art supplies and opened Growing Up Art & Crafts in 1985.

“I had always been interested in arts and crafts and decided to open a second store across the street that just focused on raw arts and crafts materials,” Friedman said. “I decided to make this a combination of a toy and art and craft store, and I would say we still have the same mission.”

As owner, Friedman said she most values the connections she makes with her customers and children in the store. She recalled memories throughout the years, such as counting coins with children teaching them the value of money and inspiring them to take on new crafts.

“Sometimes children come with me to empty their piggy banks,” Friedman said. “I help (them) count their money, teaching them (things like) how many quarters are needed to make a dollar.”

Friedman said the goal of Growing Up Art & Crafts is to provide people with excellent quality arts supplies at an affordable cost. Neighboring local businesses, such as Tutu Ballet school, shop Growing Up Art & Crafts for stamps and supplies to support their own businesses.

“I always look at this store as a safe place for children to come in,” Friedman said. “I know a lot of the children in the neighborhood and like to create a space for them to find new crafts as well as understand the value of money.”

Looking toward the future, Growing Up Art & Crafts is working on achieving Legacy Business status, a title bestowed by the mayor of San Francisco upon local businesses that have operated for more than 30 years and have contributed to a neighborhood’s history.

“Now we are in the process of making Growing Up Art & Crafts a legacy business,” Friedman said. “Hopefully by the end of the year we will be official.”

Growing Up Art & Crafts is located at 248 West Portal Ave. and is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. For more information visit @growingupartandcrafts on Instagram.