Children’s woodworking and design studio The Butterfly Joint has been teaching San Francisco’s kids the ways of wood for the past six years. In 2015, owner and lifetime educator Danny Montoya set out with a goal of teaching kids unique crafting skills that would inspire resilience, determination, and responsibility.
With a strong focus on anti-racism, problem-solving, and social justice, Montoya welcomes his kids each day with their very own punch cards (which they use to clock in), work aprons, and a steam whistle to kick off their projects.
And for the last two years, Montoya’s been building his own an additional project. The Cafe at The Butterfly Joint, a 90-square-foot corner space on the same property, will soon be up and running, serving up Red Bay coffee, tea, pastries, and other baked goods (some of which will be provided by Devil’s Teeth Baking Company) to kids, parents, and passersby.
With such a small area to work with, the cafe will offer strictly window service — an easy solution for the busy parent or kid who needs an after school pick-me-up. “I wanted to give parents something to turn to when their kids need a snack, or when they do!” says Montoya, who is finishing the build-out now and plans to open the cafe by June.
Stay tuned for more details on their website, and bring your kids by 4411 Cabrillo Street this summer for a light bite and a hearty life lesson.
