An institution on Castro Street since 1936, Cliff’s has done business in four different locations. The first store at 545 Castro operated from 1936 to 1941. It started as a library and magazine exchange, selling candy and toys. Hilario DeBaca ran it at first. His son .
Ernie joined him and added his plumbing and hardware skills. Pictured here is the second Cliff’s Variety, whichdid business at 515 Castro from 1942 to 1960. Merchandise was stacked from floor to ceiling. (Photo Cliff’s Variety.)
In 1960 Cliff’s moved into the block between 18 th and Market at
495 Castro. It operated here until 1971. Merchandise again was
piled from floor to ceiling and seemed to include everything you
could find in a large department store. (Photo Cliff’s Variety.)
The landlord at 495 Castro told Ernie De Baca his rent was going to triple, believing Ernie would never move his mountains of merchandise. Ernie, however, knew that the Bon Omi Store was about to go out of business, so Ernie purchased the present site at 479 Castro, moved his business again and spent the next two years digging out a full basement. (Photo Cliff’s Variety.)
