Sprout Children’s Store
1828 Union Street, San Francisco 94123, 415.359.9205, www.sproutsanfrancisco.com
Allyne Park
Gough and Green Streets, San Francisco
Parking: Metered on Union Street and 2 hour street parking in the vicinity.
Mom Sofia and Hannah
Ever think Union Street is only geared for young adults with its many bars, nail salons and trendy (and expensive) clothing stores? Well, it appears that the new organic children’s store Sprout has sprouted up to convince us otherwise …
When my friend Kory told us she had a great place to take our mommy’s group to on Union Street, I racked my brain to visualize it: an all natural organic food, clothing and toy store with a beautiful playroom? Too good to be true . . . but true it was . . . . a short while later we were sitting in their beautifully painted playroom, listening to an enthralling story being read to our children by a staff member and watching our children delight in playing with their wooden toys — all with no purchase necessary!
Not that you have to leave empty handed. Sprout has everything you need to meet basic needs for babes and tots such as diaper pail liners, Earth’s Best Organic foods all the way to toys and baby gift possibilities. The staff actually lets your children touch and play in the store, which is the best part of all because how many times have you been to a children’s store and had to run after your child asking them not to touch anything? (The cruel irony!!). And you can feel good about patronizing this establishment because its focus is environmentally friendly children’s products; even their books tout keeping the world green.
Do call ahead if you want to bring your mom’s group, though, as they do want to have enough room in their playroom to accommodate you. They also feature children’s yoga classes for a fee, free story times and host children’s birthday parties and baby showers – so visit the Sprout website for schedules and more info.
Kory then suggested we head up the street to have some outdoor time in a little secret local garden. A block and a half down the street we took a right to get to the lovely Allyne Park (located on Gough between Green and Union). And what a treat! A sweet garden with benches, a good-sized lawn and gates surrounding make you feel like you have entered a special place. My daughter watched dogs run around with their doggie friends (it was early evening so dog owners were letting their dogs run about without a leash, but they were very careful) and was so thrilled by this spectacle she began exclaiming “a dog party!” quoting one of her favorite books, Go, Dog. Go! I literally had to pull her away from this fun as it was dinner time… but promised we’d return soon to do this little loop on Union Street again… Thanks Kory for planning this afternoon outing in Kid Friendly Cow Hollow!
Kory, our guide, exploring another children's boutique, Jean et Marie, at 1775 Union St.
(Note: Allyne Park is also next to the Octagon House and garden which is open only at certain days of the month, so if you want to visit check out their schedule online.)
