RIP Franchises of our youths

[thatguy]

I remember TG showed me a documentary about King Crimson in Japan, and Tony Levin towered over everyone.

He"s 6'2"...he towers over everyone.

--tg

[King Bob]

And still in great shape at his age. AND can play two different riffs on the stick and sing at the same time.

[Drunk Monk]

I am weirdly saddened by this. I haven't been there in decades but I liked that it was there.

Believe it! Ripley's Believe It or Not to close in San Francisco
ByKTVU Staff
KTVU FOX 2
San Francisco
Published September 22, 2026 8:33 AM PDT




Ripley's Believe it Or Not! in San Francisco is set to close at the end of the year.
The Brief

• • Ripley's Believe It Or Not! is closing its San Francisco location.
    
  • The company did not say why.
    
  • There are other Ripley's attractions across the world.
    

SAN FRANCISCO - Believe it.

Ripley's 'closing in San Francisco 

What we know:
Ripley's Believe it Or Not! in San Francisco is set to close at the end of the year, according to company president Jim Pattison Jr., who issued a letter on Tuesday.

What we don't know:
Pattison did not say exactly why the company is closing at Fisherman's Wharf, or exactly what date the doors will be permanently shuttered.
But he did list the history of the attraction in San Francisco, which has been around for 60 years. 
Built on the foundation of a daily newspaper cartoon in 1918 — still in print today — Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment still has more than 100 attractions across nine countrie
 
There are also Ripley’s Aquariums, Hawaiian Falls Waterparks, Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Guinness World Records attractions, wax museums, traveling shows, miniature golf courses, mirror mazes, and more. 

[Greg]

One of my go to spots as a kid. I always had to go there and the magic store that sat beside it.

[thatguy]

I don't believe it!

--tg

[King Bob]

Somehow I never went in there. We used to go to the wax museum. I assume that's still there.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Somehow I never went in there. We used to go to the wax museum. I assume that's still there.

Ditto.

[Drunk Monk]

Central Coast landmark Giant Artichoke Restaurant to close


a giant artichoke sculpture welcomes guests at the giant artichoke restaurant in castroville, calif.
SOURCE: Susana Guerrero/ SFGATE

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Updated: 10:27 AM PDT Sep 28, 2026

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Ricardo Tova

CASTROVILLE, Calif. —
The Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville will close Wednesday, Sept. 30, after 25 years under its current operators.
In a Facebook post Monday, the operators said it had been an honor to serve the community and its customers, but “it’s time to move on.” They said the building’s owners are selling the property.
The operators also said they are willing to sell the restaurant’s recipes, but no one has stepped forward. Fried artichokes will be available until they run out, according to the post.
The announcement follows an April post by the property owner, who said the building was available for sale or lease. 
At the time, owner Daniel Boudreault told KSBW 8 he was looking for either a long-term tenant or a buyer.
Boudreault said the property had been leased to the restaurant’s operators, who were also looking to retire from the restaurant business.
The restaurant is known for its artichoke-themed menu, with dishes including samplers, dips, nachos, salads, burgers and pasta.

They made good fried artichokes. Greasy as hell but satisfying with a ranch dip.