The Prize Booth at 4270 Seven Hills Road in Castro Valley must vacate by October when its building's new owners open a Safari Kid preschool. A Kickstarter crossed $47,000 in one day — but no new location is secured yet.

At 4270 Seven Hills Road in Castro Valley, the toy store is still open — stocked with NeeDohs, Moon Balls, and school pennants — but the space won't be available much longer. The Prize Booth, a locally owned shop that co-owners Tim, Erin, and Emerson Fritts opened three years ago, must be out by October when the new building owners begin construction.

The building was sold to a brother and sister who plan to open a Safari Kid preschool and daycare on the site. The timing collides directly with what should be the store's most profitable stretch: October moves, Thanksgiving and Christmas follow. "Just before the (Christmas) holidays, which is insane for a toy store!" co-owner Erin Fritts told ABC7.

The situation arose during lease renewal, when the Frittses learned they were out. They had invested heavily in the store and had no plan for a move. "We were kind of having a mini meltdown," Erin Fritts told ABC7. "We dumped all of our money into this store because we didn't think we were going to have to go anywhere."

They launched a Kickstarter this weekend. It raised more than $30,000 in 24 hours. By Sunday afternoon it had crossed $47,000. The store had already earned recognition as the Best Toy Store in the East Bay in the Diablo Magazine poll; the Kickstarter response suggests that readership takes that seriously.

No new location has been secured. Available retail in Castro Valley is scarce and, the owners say, often priced at triple their current rent. If a space turns up in time, the Kickstarter money covers moving and startup costs. If it doesn't, the corner at Seven Hills Road gets quieter — and Castro Valley residents who've watched businesses leave since the pandemic will be making that drive to San Ramon after all.

Safari Kid did not respond to a request for comment, according to ABC7.