Old floorboards. They creak underfoot as you enter Green Apple Books. This sound whispers stories of countless book lovers who have wandered these aisles before you. Welcome to Green Apple Books, a San Francisco institution since 1967.
Green Apple Books began with Richard Savoy. He founded this literary haven in a pre-1906 building. This building stands at the corner of Clement Street and Sixth Avenue. The store quickly became a beloved spot in the Richmond District.
In 1996, Green Apple Books expanded. It acquired its longtime neighbor, Revolver Records. The store grew to house over 250000 titles. Plus, 60000 more became available online.
After three decades, Savoy transitioned ownership. He set up a ten-year buyout with three long-time employees. This ensured the spirit of Green Apple Books would continue.
Green Apple Books partnered with Le Video store in 2014. The new venture was named Green Apple Books on the Park. The downstairs became a bookstore. Upstairs remained a video rental store with 100000 titles.
In 2019, Green Apple Books bought Browser Books. This expansion helped the company thrive. It combatted the challenges faced by book retailers in the digital age.
However in 2021, Green Apple Books downsized its Clement Street store. It returned to its original pre-1996 size. But in 2023, news broke of a future Green Apple location inside SFO. It is scheduled to open in 2024.
The current store owner, Pete Mulvihill, describes it as a labyrinth. It features multiple stories, rooms, nooks, and alcoves. Exploring Green Apple Books is an adventure in itself. You never know what literary treasure you might find.
Green Apple Books has received much recognition. The San Francisco Chronicle readers voted it “Best Independent Bookstore” in 2001. SF Weekly’s editorial staff chose it as “Best Used Books Store” in 2005. The San Francisco Bay Guardian readers agreed in 2006. In 2014, Publishers Weekly named Green Apple Books its best bookstore of the year.
August Edwards, a Green Apple bookseller, highlights the store’s legacy. As a Legacy Business in San Francisco, it fosters civic engagement. It also serves as a valuable cultural asset. Green Apple is known for its curated used books. The used book buyers are intelligent, inspiring people. They are writers, readers, comedians, musicians, historians, and lovable ruffians.
The building itself has a rich history. Before Green Apple Books, Ed’s Togs sold men’s clothing here. Vincent Belmonte’s Coliseum Furs also occupied the space. Earlier still, around 1897, the site was home to Hippolyte Cuneo’s family. The peaked-roof Victorian house was later expanded. A storefront addition was added in front.
So, as you browse the shelves at Green Apple Books, remember its long history. It’s more than just a bookstore. It’s a community hub. It is a piece of San Francisco’s past and present. And every book here carries a story.