Kidrobot

1512 Haight (at Ashbury), 487-9000, www.kidrobot.com

Toys aren't just for children anymore, and Kidrobot exists so that you can benefit from this simple and wonderful fact. The store (which also has locations in New York and Los Angeles) showcases vinyl figurines of all sizes and styles made by a wide range of cutting-edge artists. The toys are part of a trend popularized in Asia that has begun to capture the cosmopolitan American imagination. Many of them are displayed in glass cases -- regardless of their monetary value -- to be appreciated as much for their artistic value as for their utterly unabashed cuteness. It's easy to come away from Kidrobot feeling youthful and satisfied, whether the bill is $6 or $60. And it's definitely the kind of place that will turn a curious observer into a seriously addicted collector overnight.