Church Street Apothecary
Categories: Cosmetics & Beauty Supply, Toy Stores, Cards & Stationery, Newspapers & Magazines, Kitchen & Bath [Edit]
Neighborhood: Noe Valley1767 Church St
(between 30th St & Day St)
San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 970-9828
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: No
27 reviews
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights
"LOOOVE IT! Best store ever. No matter what you're looking for, they've got it. Here are some things I always come here to buy: -Party…" read more »
45 Reviews for Church Street Apothecary
This store just screams CUTE, just like it's sister store Doe. Stopped by here on Saturday to have a beer with the owner. It's weird, but every time I have visited one of KK's stores, I'm always drinking beer there. How awesome is that?!
Well this store carries a super impressive selection of great organic hair care, skin care and other products. Some toys, kids clothing, awesome eclectic selection of magazines, scented burning oils, candles, chapsticks and many, many more items.
Picked a yummy smelling candle for Mama Lee. Should have gotten one for myself too!
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This is my store. And it rocks - if I do say so myself!
I'm working today, so come by and say "Hello!" I'll even hook you up with some fancy samples if you ask nicely. Actually, you can treat me however you like and I'll still hook you up.
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I'm a sucker for things that smell good.
Church Street Apothecary smells like a botanical heaven. You're even greeted by a virtual cornucopia of flowers and plants upon entry. This Noe Valley gem boasts a wide variety of skin care, beauty, and health products that are for those in the know. They carry Dr. Hauschka (one of my favorite lines ever), Alba, Ren, Phyto, and a bunch of other brands that are mostly made with natural ingredients (not everything, but a good portion). They also have bath soaks, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, candles, make-up, teas, and even laundry detergent (check out the delicates wash by Tocca - it smells AMAZING.) And it's not just for grown-ups - Church Street Apothecary also caters heavily to the kidlets: T-shirts, bath toys, and California Baby and Weleda products for your tots - I love the bubble bath scents!
PS: Some of the products here (i.e. Stationery and some baby stuff) are also carried at their sister store, Doe, in the Lower Haight.
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A great place to get natural cosmetics and skincare items for men, women, and kids. But more alluring to me are the great cards and cool/cute/pretty gifts (sometimes for others, but more often for myself).
I have a thing for products. Lush, Sephora, this place... you get the idea. I recently became addicted to certain Phyto products which they carry. I like to support local places where I can so this is a g ood thing. Beyond that, it is just a nice place. I could spend hours in here just browsing. I don't have anything bad to say about it. If you are a product junkie like me, I highly recommend it. It is out of my way but worth the trip.
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A fabulous little shop to buy specialty (and sometimes pricey) health items. If it's hard to find, they probably have it here. (They carry an assortment of Labello lip balms, which are my favorite!)
Besides the health and beauty items, they carry all kinds of cute and quirky curiosities - from flowers, to stationary to magazines, to baby toys. (I currently have my eye on a shell hair clip.) I love supporting local businesses like this one. (The owners live on my street.)
P.S. Doe out by Kezar Stadium is this place's sister store. It's equally as charming, carrying clothing and housewares. So if you like Church St. Apothecary, but wish they carried home products, you could give that place a try. Or if you like Doe, but wish they carried more apothecary-esque items, you know where to go.
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tiny, but cute space and convenient location. size/layout work for what they do (wouldn't be as intimate with a lot more space), but its really hard to navigate if there is more than 1 person shopping and *definitely* hard to navigate if there is a stroller or two. you just have to be patient. i've found it really hard to contact the store if you want to check to see if a product is in stock- every time i've called it just rings with no option to leave a mesage. bummer because i've often make the trek all the way there just to find something was out of stock.
i've been seeing some of the lines they carry at chain stores these days (wella, hauschka for example)- now that whole foods and target type stores are catching on to fancy products. but obvioulsy convenience isn't the only reason to shop somewhere and they do have other lines that i've not seen in too many other stores.. Selection doesn't seem to update very often, and low quantities can sometimes mean you have to make 2-3 rounds to find someting you want to buy (because you really do want to buy something)
good space, great idea, but i feel room for improvement exists
update: its funny because after i wrote this review i got emailed by another yelper asking if the csa mafia had started their email campaign at me yet since i rated less than 5. I think that's not cool and for those who are easily swayed could cause them to change their rating or remove it all together. freedom of speech y'all. if britney hasn't said it yet, she should.
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I love this place. It is near where I work so when I'm feeling stressed out I go grab a cup of coffee or apple cider at XO cafe and I come in here and I smell all the lotions/candles. They also have beautiful stationary and all of the magazines I like.
I have to admit I've never bought anything in here. But next time I need a pretty card or something I definitely will.
The staff is super nice and coming here makes me feel good.
This is such a cute little Apothecary, they have a great selection of items. All sorts of potions and tonics, anything from anti-aging, healing, or just plain ole' fun, it's there! They also have a nice selection of flowers, I really like their heather and it's only $4 for a large bundle!
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FIVE STARS for fantastic or is it phantastic organic healthy-style
pharmacy. No, no drugs per se, but beautiful and basic health and bodycare items
I used to take class across the street and since I was always rushing
to class with seconds to spare, never had time to step into this sweet
little shop. I passed by, but even in my rush, noticed the
eclectically turned out window display twinkling its wares at me. Shop
windows always flirt with me- they know a girl who loves her some
pretty things.
This place is chock full of fun and pretty stuff as well as lots of
high quality health and beauty products to make you prettier inside
out so you can have more fun. They carry Dr. Hauschka (yaaay no more
special trips to Rainbow) Weleda, they have Traumeel (the BEST
non-stinky cream for sore muscles- great for dancers) AND during my
first visit, the gal at the counter, somehow took care of five
other customers, answered all my questions, got the phone and was
genuinely cheerful.
Make sure to ask if you don't see what you need there. They have many items sweetly and neatly tucked away and are happy to help you find what you need. The salesgirl had tried most of the products I asked about and knew the ingredients and proper usage of each one.
I have to go home and rearrange my medicine cabinet so I can go back and get wild rose body oil, neem hair lotion, and oh I'll have a BIG bag of ginger chews and uh better throw in some rosemary cellulite gel to go with those. big thighs loves some spicy candy!
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Classy little establishment.
Guys, need something to get you out of the dog house? You can find it here.
Great selection of products, stuff for us as well.
The Gals that work the store are very helpful and great at making suggestions.
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This place is the dope. What the hell does that mean anyways? Well, this place has it all! You can't stand how cute everything is in here.
I bought a baby blanket for nobody in particular when I was last in here. Yep. I have no babies. I have no babies coming and, for a lesbian, I know this with certainty! So I was going to give it to a friend cuz my friends are always having babies. Yep, my friends are all big ole baby factories. Bad for Earth, good for the apothecary.
Anyhow, they don't just carry baby things even thought their baby things are adorable. They also have travel stuff, health stuff, magazines, candles, this, that and the other.
They have it all. (Well, they don't have mojitos but that's not their fault.)
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What a wonderful shop! They have lots of European brands that you can't easily find elsewhere. They also have some adorable kids lines. It's hard to decide which to buy. The selection of cards, stationary and magazines they carry is small but deliberate.
UPDATE-
04/08
I have recently moved just up the street from the Apothecary and have found a reason to stop in almost every night after work. This could be trouble!!
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I heart this place! It has all the wonderful products that I used to cram into my already overstuffed suitcase when in London and Belgium. The atmosphere is divine, and does remind me of the wonderful apothecary stores all over Europe.
I love how they have local products as well. Elizabeth W.'s Tuberose lotion and eau de parfum is my new favorite.
The staff is outstanding! Every time I go there its the same gal, who is so very sweet and helpful. You'd think I'd remember her name by now....ack! No matter what, she'll know the right product for what ails you.
I highly recommend going to this place when you might have a bit of the blues, because you'll find several home spa products and reading that will snap you right back to your happy place.
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The green cross has always been like a beacon to me. Whether you see one in Europe glowing down and alley or winding street, or right there on our very own Church Street, that cross means the same thing...soon you are going to feel much, much better.
In the case of this charming Noe Valley store, it means that you are going to be delighted with pampering products from all over the globe - some rare, some European, most socially conscious, all fabulous. I remember trying the Korres products for the first time when the store first opened, and they were a novelty back then.
Recently I stopped in to buy some presents, and it could not have been easier. I like to put together gifts of multiple items, and this is the perfect place to do just that. A recent birthday girl received a tortoise flower hair tie, some Japanese stationary, and some herbal tea, all wrapped up together and presented with a darling letterpress card.
A friend who had recently moved received a Grapefruit scented candle from La Compagnie de Provence (great product line, and well-priced - check it out).
Go when you are feeling down, and the apothecary will certainly uplift you with its sunny interior and equally sunny service. Go when you want to get something special for someone special. Go for no reason at all and discover a product that is sure to become your new favorite.
It's like an apple a day - just do it.
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I dropped by today and the shop girl behind the counter was so sweet and friendly! After inquiring if I needed any help, she left me alone to browse. I had been on the search for a groom's survival kit and ended up purchasing a travel sized olive oil shower gel, licorice gum, two bars of lime and grapefruit soaps, a lip balm and the neatest little first aid kit. There were also all sorts of goodies from Dr. Hauschka, Korres, and Malin & Goetz (I'm so buying the lime tonic and mojito candle next time).
After she rang me up, she even took time to take off all the price stickers and put everything in a gift bag with tissue paper. The time she took with me even though I didn't make a large purchase guarantees that I'll be back!
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I've decided that Dr. Hauschka and I are going to run away together to Bali. He just doesn't know it yet. Shhhh...
I have fabulous Yelper friends...or, I should say, fabulous friends that HAPPEN to be Yelpers.
Lovely Laura, Megan and Meeeow Maria D. bought me the perfect gift for my birthday. A GIFT CERTIFICATE to this unbelievably cute lil' boutique of smelly soaps and everything else that ails ya!
I love those gals. They're so wonderfully thoughtful like that...once, I even caught Laura slipping girly toiletries into my shopping bag. She's really bad with the whole "sneaky" thing.
With their gift, I purchased a Lavender Bath. If you look on the packaging, it reads:
"Lavender essential oil eases nervous tension, anxiety and stress, imparting its soothing warmth to the skin."
Oh Lordie...I am so down wit that.
I want to smell like lavender and relax so much that I feel like a walking easy-listening slo-jam.
And I want my kindergartners to stop telling me I smell like cheese. That kinda sucks.
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This place is so unbearably sweet and well appointed that it almost broke my heart. I just love the idea of an old timey drug store but with new timey stuff like Jill Bliss Address Books (CUTEST AND MOST BEST ADDRESS BOOK EVER), Dr. Hauschka's entire skin care line and yummy smelling soy candles. They sell your usual drug store toxic meds (like excedrin and advil and stuff) but also homeopathic and holistic treatments (or as a past boyfriend used to call them, "SCIENCE IS BAD AND I DON'T ACTUALLY WANT TO FEEL BETTER" "meds". he was a total asshole. cheated on me with some two bit hussy he met in DA CLUB. no joke. I think a bartender? I should have gone all Martin "You So Crazy" Lawrence on her and be all, "Well look here, miss 'thank you', miss 'have a nice day', your job is to check coats. check 'em, bitch!" But I digress...)
Anyway, perfect place to pick up a birthday gift for some Kristina R's I know and get some "meds" for my head cold and some delicious violet gum. The shop girl was pretty much the best and more than willing to come around the counter to point out different remedies for my friend's back problems from having too much wild monkey sex. I JOKE! I KID! Actually, they are because she is an OBGYN (vaginas. hehe.) and delivers babies for a living and babies these days are heavy ass fat bottoms from all the hormone filled food their fat moms are eating. So really, it's YOUR wild monkey sex that is to blame for her back problems. Good one.
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What a great little store. And I do mean little. They manage to display a fabulous array of goods and make it all seem perfect. I love the fresh flowers and the great hair brushes. Bring your wallet as you will be spending money. I ended up with some great lip balm and some pregnancy tea for my best friend. They have everything you didn't know you need until you see it.
I really like this store's gift selection for kids. I got the cutest little sock moccasins with strawberries for my niece and argyle for my nephew. Also, nice cards.
I haven't had a chance to delve into the other products, but plan to in the future. The atmosphere is peaceful.
Oh, wow! I can walk in with a loud, grabby toddler and not get the evil eye! Seriously, that alone is worth a few stars. The girls at CSA are so kid-friendly and patient, it actually makes shopping with crankybabies an enjoyable experience.
Add to that the excellent selection of herbal supplements, grown-up pampering goodies, and adorable kiddie things, and you have a winner. I'm always impressed by the quality of their products as well as the selection that they manage to squeeze into a tiny little gem of a store.
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I haven't been to this shop yet, but I had a very good online experience. I didn't give myself enough time to get into the shop in the craziness leading up to the holidays, so I shopped online. I found a lot of things I wanted to buy, but managed to keep my order to three yummy smelling goodies for myself. I ordered late on the Monday before Christmas and my parcel arrived on Thursday. One of the items I ordered was damaged, so I called the shop and Charlie was genuinely apologetic and offered a few options for solutions. I felt that I was well taken care of and am looking forward to shopping in person. Thanks Charlie.
UPDATE - 01/31/07
I made it into the shop yesterday afternoon to buy cards and some birthday presents for moi. The cards and stationery selection is small and so thoughtfully chosen that I could have bought one of everything. I found cards for fellow paper-freak friends, that I feel confident they haven't seen elsewhere. Treated myself to a smelly candle and a canvas bag for my knitting that was calling to me from a hook, high up in a little corner, behind the cash register. Friendly and personable service too!
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For a moment, I thought I had walked into a "farmacia" back in Portugal. The only thing missing was the pharmacist in a white lab coat. Well, that and an old lady with a mustache waiting to get her blood pressure checked, but I digress.
I was greeted by a friendly employee, who was glad to explain all the foo-foo things that are above my head, like wrapping paper, stationery, etc.
I was amazed by the variety and quantity of merchandise in the store, and how despite all that, how the store is perfectly and beautifully arranged with everything in its proper place.
I don't live in the area, but for those of you who do, I urge you to support this business. It clearly serves a valuable need for the neighborhood, and while I'm sure they do plenty of business online, you will sorely miss this business if they are not around.
I plan to return if/when I'm in the area and explore the store a bit more.
Remember, shop locally :)
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Visited the CSA yesterday because I wanted some cool Xmas cards - and they did not disappoint. I even managed to find one with a deer on it for my brother-in-law the deer hunter - awesome! I loved their selection of French items, from the Savon de Marseilles soaps and lotions, to the little kid wash cloths that said cute French things, and the place has a great selection and feels very much like a European apothecary. They carry a lot of the same types of products sold at places like Whole Foods and Real Foods, but there are super cute kid things and the staff is really nice and friendly and helpful.
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Ye Olde Drugstore of the present. I have a huge addiction for lotions, salves and sundry body products.
Cuter than a 3 week old puppy!
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I stopped by to do a bit of Christmas shopping last week, and was amazed at how much merchandise was packed into this tiny store. I managed to find a bunch of cute baby gifts as well as some Mario Badescu skincare products. I would have stayed longer to browse a bit more, but my son started to have a meltdown after about 15 minutes. I'll definitely be back!
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This is an excellent store for finding fun beauty products that aren't totally run of the mill. I have a particular MUST HAVE shampoo and conditioner that is almost impossible to find. Needless to say I was aboslutely ecstatic when I saw that this little store several blocks from my house carried it.
The prices are reasonable and they have a wide selection of really fun stuff.
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A sweet little shop that is packed with natural goodness.
The staff member that was there my first trip was incredibly helpful and patient (I can ask a lot of questions) even though it was almost closing time.
I left with some wonderful-smelling non-petroleum-based hand cream and a strong urge to come back earlier in the day so that I can browse all of the lovely items and cute gifts.
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cute little place right around the corner from my house. And I bought a huge thing of peach flavored lip balm for only $5! sweet.
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wtf is an apothecary!?!??!?! is it bad i found out what it is from watching a friends episode? hey dr william funk didnt put this word into his 30 days to a more powerful vocabulary book alrgihty?!?
so i stopped by this weekend. whoa, its that green cross. HAHAHAHAH one day i wasnt feeling too well in europe. i was visiting friends in germany and italy. somewhere in between, i got sick. them green crosses are a beacon of hope. HAHHA lub it.
soooo this little shop is PACKED with stuff, top to bottom, in out left right. i love the smell of fresh cut flowers..... mmmm mixed in with scent from some crazy stuff youll never see in your local sunset walgreens. i thought i had a good grasp on products, but damn, this place, i didnt know more than half the stuff. cool.
im really digging this noe valley feel.
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Pass 24th Street and Collect at the Church Street Apothecary
Lotions, potions, candles, homeopathics, stationery. They have my favorite lip balm, Labello! The most scent selections of Voluspa (they burn very nicely) that I've seen. Shopgirls are really sweet and helpful too. The neon green cross reminds me of the days that I lived in Spain. *sigh*
This is where I go to buy presents for friends and myself. You should too.
I'm not sure how they manage to pack so many wonderful things in such a small space, but if ever there was a spot-on rendition of the old-fashioned apothecary with a socially-conscious-yuppie flavor, this is it.
It's almost too cute to look directly at, but they have some excellent products for the skin.
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the only thing that i don't like about my new place is where the half bath is located...it's right next to the kitchen. like literally steps from the kitchen. so, on those occasions when breathable air near the kitchen is cropdusted by bathroom stank, i figure a nice scent is in odor, i mean, order.
i happened to walk by church st apo and stopped in. i was immediately impressed by their unique products. homeopathic cures, soaps, candles and spray fragrances. checked out a couple of testers and settled on some ginger citrus scent. strong enough for death butt but gentle enough for the kitchen.
hopefully, i won't run out of this stuff too quickly, but when i do i'm going back to church st.
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So many products and always expanding! Great selection of gifts, bath and beauty care, and others. Wonderful smells come out the door that you can smell down the block. Even my dog likes trying to get a peek at what the latest scent they're burning is.
I love working here.
Update:
I have to edit this review as I am in the middle of a 3 day stint of working here for the first time in a while. Somewhere between unpacking 300 candles and trying to do some visual merchendizing for Vday, it finally hit JUST HOW MANY ITEMS WE HAVE. Little clusters of great new baby clothes, great cold and flu supplements and remedies, which I certainly have been relying on lately, stationary (I think I have one of each notebook by now)... clusters is certainly the word. Even though I'm here twice a week, I didn't realize how many suprises we have tucked here and there, and how customers must feel like its a treasure hunt. Now that's the kind of shopping I like, one where new exciting or particularly uselful (cold and flu cough cough) items could be in any corner.
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this place is perfect. i was led here via the sister store doe. i wanted to find some alternative losenges or other oral treats to help my mom lose the constant nickel taste that has resulted from medical treatments. the salesgirl was extremely helpful and not overbearing in anyway. she politely asked and gently inquired about the medical situation because she was actually knowledgable enough to recommend certain products based on the situation. this i love.
like doe, i can not get over how ingenious the space strategy is. tons to choose from, reasonably priced, expertly selected.
a side note: this neighborhood is worth driving to, parking and just walking around to shop and eat.
A little storefront way down at the end of Church Street that sells natural beauty products, including Dr. Hauschka, all sorts of homeopathic goodies, and an assortment of journals, cards, and magazines. Owned by the same people who own Doe on Haight St.
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Hard-to-find beauty, homeopathy and aroma products, nicely displayed, with thoughtful information provided by clerk. My Boston and DC friends and I just shopped there and each of the out-of-towners was thrilled to find this little niche away from home. Hope this place makes it -- go check it out soon to help them grow!
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gotta add to the glowing reviews. fig bubblebath! ginger chews! flowers, even! i am SO GLAD this is in my new neighborhood. plus, how adorable is it to walk into a tiny shop and hear the girl behind the counter discussing dinner plans with her dad? awww! love it.
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I buy my Dr. Hauschka stuff here. (It's what my skin likes this year; it will surely change it's mind after the next birthday. Sigh.) I love that they have test-sized Dr. Hauschka items so you can try it out before committing to the expensive big jar. They are in a drawer under the display, are big enough to last about a week or more, and are $3 (I think). Also good for travel.
Also a good stop for a precious little baby gift. Or for buying lots of treats for yourself that you don't really need but will enjoy buying.
great place to find gifts - they have the cutest sundries.
problem is that when i stop there to look for gifts for others, i always seem to find a gift or two for myself. i guess that's not such a big problem though.
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