CLAUDIA VOLPI, OWNER SUPERGA SF, IN SAN FRANCISCO
After working in sales and trading for many years in Wall Street, Claudia Volpi created her own company to help Italian brands market their products to the US market. A move to San Francisco later, the charismatic mom opened Superga SF : "When I got to San Francisco I found that it was hard to buy cool shoes for kids. The only options I had were pretty much Start Rite or Target. I have a bit of the snickers culture - Superga are the first shoes I ever wore and the first shoes my kids ever wore. Being Italian, this brand is in my DNA."
Born in the US from Italian immigrant parents, she grew up in Uruguay and the US and went to college in the US and Italy. She married a man who grew up in Japan and had three kids with him. The family now lives in Noe Valley."I love it, It is like a little village" she says.
HER SAN FRANCISCO
Eating out with the kids. 54 Mint - First, because it’s Italian so the food is great and the hospitality even more so. It is on Mint Plaza, with an expansive terrace where the kids can play as you look on, if you’re seated outside or at a window table.
Rin - It's a neighborhood favorite for Thai and Vietnamese food. They are very sweet with the kids, it is easy to make modifications to the dishes and, of course, there is a playground across the street.
Piccino - Another favorite for Italian food in the Dogpatch with a playground just across the street and outdoor seating.
An outdoor activity with the kids. We love to go play in the Golden Gate Park - Koret playground is a favorite of our son and the girls like to go to Stowe Lake and paddle-boat around.
An indoor activity with the kids. The California Academy of Sciences; little known fact - if you go to the coat check and leave your ID, they’ll give your child a backpack full of science gear and a sort of scavenger hunt. I made my own scavenger hunt for my son and he used the magnifying glass and notebook in the backpack to take notes.
Shopping for the kids. Mudpie - Gorgeous French dresses and shoes and also classic retro toys; it’s very chic and pretty, though expensive. The space is gorgeous too. Worth a visit if only to browse.
Charlie’s Corner - With a tree in the middle of the store and banquet around it to sit and read in the store.
Grabbing a snack with the kids. Easy Breezy - Our go-to place. It’s frozen yogurt and Ariel Kleckner Ford - the founder - is a friend. She is a single mom of three boys and has built this business all on her own. The yogurt is all natural; the flavors are made/mixed onsite— she does not buy ‘pre-made’ mix and batter— it is delicious, healthy and very focused on being the healthy, local snack place for families.