SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the long running odditorium at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, is set to close before the end of the year.
The company made the announcement Tuesday, telling me the impending closure is the result of a multitude of factors.
“Over the years there’s been some traffic shifts down there at the wharf. Certainly the market has changed,” said Ripley’s John Corcoran.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has been at Fisherman’s Wharf for nearly six decades.
Outside its doors, many visitors told us they’ll be sad to see it go.
“This is a staple. Just being here on the wharf, this is one thing you can come to. The tourists come out here, the locals come out here,” said Mesha Brown.
Ripley’s says for the first time ever they will sell off pieces of their exhibit, specifically the San Francisco related items.
That could include things like a Golden Gate Bridge made out of toothpicks and a replica cable car.
Ripley’s departure is also a blow to one of the city’s premier tourist areas.
Reacting to the news, Supervisor Danny Sauter, who represents Fisherman’s Wharf, said: “I’m sad to see any attraction or business leave San Francisco, but I’m confident in the future of Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ve welcomed more than a dozen new openings this year, with many more on the way.”
As of now, there is no definite closing date for the attraction.
But say, they plan on coming back at least once more before the doors close.
Hoping to see the oddities a final time and pass on the experience to a new generation of fans.
“Maybe it’s just kind of phasing out you know and they don’t really have an interest in it. Everybody’s on social media and TikTok and those kind of things. So I can see it but I am still sad to see it go.”
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