Soko Hardware in San Francisco’s Japantown celebrates 100 years in business

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In San Francisco’s Japantown, one mom and pop shop celebrated a major milestone.

ABC7 News spoke with the Soko Hardware’s owner about how the store has overcome adversity and survived 100 years in business.

Celebrating 100 years in business is big milestone, especially for a specialty mom and pop shop in San Francisco. On Saturday, the city marked the occasion with a special celebration.

“Growing up as a kid in the store, I remember going up the office. And that was basically my playroom,” said Soko Hardware owner Philip Ashizawa. “My parents would baby sit me up in the office. And that ls kind of how I started in the business, as a toddler.”

Ashizawa has spent decades at Soko Hardware — but now, as the head of the family-run business, as it celebrates 100 years in operation.

MORE: SF Cherry Blossom Festival brings thousands to Japantown, gives small businesses big boost

“My parents and my grandparents, they suffered through a lot to shepherd this business to where it is now. So, I’m just here to kind of keep the ball rolling,” Ashizawa said.

The store has been open 100 years, except for five to six years, when the family was sent away to Japanese internment camps during World War II.

With four generations, the Ashizawa family has worked here in service of the city and their community. The 100-year milestone was honored by a city declaration.

“So today, in the city and county of San Francisco, is Soko Hardware day. Congratulations,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie at the celebration.

The family says it’s a huge honor to celebrate 100 years, but they credit their customers for their success.

“I think we fulfill a niche that is kind of unique, not to just the neighborhood, but kind of to the general Bay Area,” said son David Ashizawa, who is likely to take over soon.

The family says the key to their success has been supplying specialty items like Japanese wood-working and gardening too tools.

“A lot of the specialty cooking items for Japanese cuisine, things like that,” said Philip Ashizawa.

The Ashizawas say President Donald Trump’s new tariffs have hurt business. But David says the family has overcome a lot and will find a way to manage though this as well — at least for a few more decades.

“I don’t know if I want to keep working past my 70s,” he said with a laugh.