The year was 1959 when Joe Politz opened the original Joe’s Ice Cream on the corner of Geary Boulevard and 18th Avenue. Sixty years later, he was on hand to celebrate its milestone birthday with the current owners, Sean and Alice Kim, who bought the store in 2012.
Also at the April 13, 2019 celebration were Matsuhiko Murashige and his wife, Aki, who ran the store for 33 years. They were joined by dozens of neighbors and visitors who crowded the store and the sidewalk to help mark six decades of sweetness in the Richmond District.
When Joe’s felt the crunch of rising rent in 2010, they moved from their long-time home on the corner to a storefront across the street and just a half block away, on the north side of Geary between 18th and 19th avenues.
Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer was also on hand to help commemorate the occasion for the Richmond District’s Legacy Business.
Photos by Michael Durand.
Angelina Yu, Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer, Chelsea Bollard and Nailah (8 months).
Angelina, Nailah and Chelsea enjoying the perfect weather outside Joe’s Ice Cream at the 60th Anniversary celebration.
Nailah (8 months) hasn’t had her first taste of ice cream, yet.
Joe Politz, the founder and namesake of Joe’s Ice Cream.
Frank Schwarz (left), one of the first employees at Joe’s, poses with his former boss and fellow alumnus of George Washington High School, Joe Politz.
The original location of Joe’s Ice Cream at the corner of Geary Boulevard and 18th Avenue. The store was on that corner from 1959 until 2010.
Mutsushiko Murashige (left), who owned Joe’s for 33 years, poses with the current owner, Sean Kim.
Long-time owners Mutsushiko Murashige (left) and his wife, Aki pose with the current owners of Joe’s, Alice and Sean Kim.
Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer presents Mutsushiko Murashige and his wife Aki with a copy of a coloring book that features a drawing of Joe’s Ice Cream store. Wearing hats are the current owners, Alice and Sean Kim. Also looking on is the artist who drew the graphic, Eddie Ahn. Ahn has also shared his artwork with the Richmond District by creating works used on various utility boxes throughout the neighborhood. Read Ahn’s story HERE.
Eddie Ahn’s artwork for a coloring book.
Mutsushiko Murashige (left to right), his wife, Aki, current owner of Joe’s, Alice Kim and Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer.
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Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
I used to deliver the Examiner to Joe Politz at the original location. I was his paper girl from 1974 to 1978.
I had no idea this celebration was going to happen. I would of loved to of gone just to see Joe again.
Joyce
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Hi Joyce, Thank you for your comments! Joe’s Ice Cream is preparing the historic board for interior design. Do you have any old photos related to Joe’s Ice Cream before 1980s? Please contact to us(joesicecream@outlook.com) if you have any old photos. Thanks!
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