- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Cover To Cover Booksellers - CLOSED
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
1307 Castro St(between 24th St & Jersey St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
(415) 282-8080
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Cover To Cover Booksellers
Review Highlights
"Support your local independent."
(in 3 reviews)
"...compared to big chains like Borders, but I like that in a..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Tracy and Mark have both been incredibly helpful."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
24 reviews in English
-
Review from Henry T.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2011
Cover to Cover was great but l sadly it has been CLOSED since early March 2011
-
Review from gene g.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2011
Why buy your books anywhere else ?? The owner is a gem and very helpful, knowledgeable and funny, has a certain type of connectivity that you want in a book seller. I have been buying my books from C to C for years, through their major location change and enjoy the fact that they personalize each sale. If they don't have it they will order it. I'll wait the few days instead of taking my business to a chain store or web seller.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORES !!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Mitsi M.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2011
Closed forever again. I was here yesterday looking to buy a book and found a note on their door from the owner saying they were closed, this time for forever. Very sad. RIP.
-
Review from JR H.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2007
I love small neighborhood shops and this place fits the bill.
Any book that I have ever wanted to buy they can order and have within a few days. My son and I have gone in and he goes his way to the kids section and I go mine.
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS!!!! -
Review from Katie I.
San Francisco, CA
7/20/2008
It seems only appropriate that I write my 100th review for a place that has seen so much of me over the years. I've gone to Cover to Cover in all three of it's locations, spent countless hours holed up in a corner (or, when I was really little, in their playhouse) with whatever book I'm obsessed with at the moment. The staff is friendly and helpful and some of them have been with the store forever. They're happy to order a book for you if they don't have it (remember, this is not Borders), and they have great suggestions for new books to read.
Thank you Cover to Cover. -
Review from david p.
San Francisco, CA
9/30/2006
Five stars just for surviving. Must be just horrible trying to survive as an independent bookstore in an Amazon society.
These folks almost died a couple years back when they lost the lease on 24th Street, but lived to fight another day just around the corner.
New digs are a little cramped but the staff are uber friendly & book smart (duh) & can invariably point you in the right direction. -
Review from andy r.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2006
This place is a real gem. You know those friendly little bookstores you always see in the movies? This is one of those. Their selection is great, especially considering their square footage. They have an outstanding inventory of childrens' books and a little playhouse to entertain the youngest while you peruse. Best of all, they have a friendly, knowledgeable staff to assist you in your selection, whatever your interest. Another plus is FREE one hour parking in the lot next to the adjacent Walgreen's at Castro & Jersey. The discounts at the behemoth stores are offset by the gas needed to drive out to the mall anyway.
Listed in: Noe Valley represent!
-
Review from Kristina R.
San Francisco, CA
12/18/2005 1 photo
What a great place. Tracy and Mark are two of the nicest, funniest people I know. If the book isn't in stock, it'll be there in two or so days. There's really no good excuse not to support the small businesses in your neighborhood. Yeah, Borders has discounts and is cheaper, but look at who you're buying from. Check out who the owners of these big stores are and who they are supporting during election time. Very slimy.
Listed in: I Heart Bookstores
-
Review from Laurel N.
Washington, DC
5/3/2005
The story of Cover to Cover warms my little independent-bookstore-loving heart. Their lease was up a couple of years ago and they were going to close their doors, but Noe Valley simply wouldn't let it happen. There was a "Save Cover to Cover" campaign and they were ultimately able to get a new, smaller space several blocks away. The only fault I can find is a slight "High Fidelity" vibe I get from the staff, like they might mock my literary taste after I leave. But this is more than made up for by the fabulous midnight milk-and-cookies p.j. parties they throw whenever a new Harry Potter book comes out. Damn, I wish I could go to those parties. I think there might be an age limit and a bouncer at the door.
-
Review from Jin W.
San Francisco, CA
6/4/2006
I love browsing their books. They're very friendly and try to help you find something you'll like. It's a small place, compared to big chains like Borders, but I like that in a bookstore. The owners are really nice, with a great sense of humor. I'll return.
-
Review from Kerry P.
8/3/2007
Growing up in Noe Valley as a bookworm-nerd of a child, I loved this shop. I'm a big believer in supporting small businesses (esp. in the shadow of Borders and Barnes & Noble) but they never have what I'm looking for. When I was in school and needed a novel for a class or bookreport, I would've loved to stroll down a few blocks to pick it up. But no. That would be too easy. I've currently taken on the daunting task of reading Modern Librarys "100 Best Books Ever Written." Needless to say, I have a Border's Frequent Buyer Card and used bookstores get a lot of my business. Sorry Cover-To-Cover.
-
Review from Rita Y.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2009
This is a tiny bookstore. Keyword, tiny. They do have some of the latest publications but not a huge selection. There's a small selection of calendars, journals and greeting cards and wind-up plastic sushi toys which roll around & around and run across the table. The sale section is very limited and some of the books appear to be second hand or used (worn). It didn't say it was a Green Apple used bookstore, so I wasn't expecting to see used books at this neighborhood store. Must be very tough for neighborhood bookstores to compete with the big chains.
Listed in: A day in Noe Valley
-
Review from Jude F.
San Francisco, CA
7/22/2006
The perfect place to find something wonderful you didn't know you were looking for. The space is small, sure, but that just means the selection is more thoughtful. Tracy and Mark have both been incredibly helpful. Support your local independent! Support someone elses' local independent!
-
Review from J H.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2011
Loved our local bookstore, but now it's closed. So sorry to see it go.
-
Review from Milk and Cheese ..
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2006
I dropped by Cover to Cover from time to time, when I lived a short walk away. I always found the place a little small and they never seemed to carry anything I was interested in. I'm not a patient enough person to ask a bookstore to special order anything for me. I guess I'm a bit of an asshole for not supporting the neighborhood indie bookseller, the idea of which I fully endorse.
-
Review from Rebecca E.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2007
This store is just so awesome. Although small, they always have EVERYTHING. And if they don't have it, they'll order it for you, and it will arrive in a couple days. They are incredibly knowledgeable and always have good advice. I have given the greatest birthday gifts and other presents thanks to the amazing people who run this Noe Valley institution!
-
Review from monikah b.
San Francisco, CA
4/10/2009
This place was perfect for my son and I. I found two train books, we read others, he sat in the playhouse, and we were able to relax. The older gentleman was so thoughtful; I'll definitely come back. I just didn't have time to look for anything for myself!
-
Review from Michael F.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2009
Mark and Tracy, and their employees, are not only extremely knowledgeable about books and authors but they have impeccable taste and make superb recommendations. Their store carries a fine selection and ordering from them is easy. Browsing is a joy. Support your local book seller!
-
Review from Isabel C.
Seattle, WA
7/26/2009
A small, neighborhood bookstore that does a good job trying to keep up with the big guys. Their supply in limited and often don't have what you're looking for, but always willing to put in an order. I hope that they're able to keep going, but because of how small their collection is I often find myself ancy and heading towards a bigger name...
-
Review from D. B.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2010
Great neighborhood bookstore with a terrific selection and reasonable prices. Moreover, the owner is super friendly. A great place. Recommended!
-
Review from Bernadette B.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2006
i love this place. the service is friendly and very helpful. i bought tons of postcards here for a good price. i always come back!
-
Review from satya w.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2010
High praise to Mark at Cover to Cover for carrying our new release Mbira Maker Blues-a healing journey to Zimbabwe by local San Francisco author Virginia Barrett. While most of the USA will only buy books from Amazon these days or big chain stores or from distributors, it is a hopeful sign that humans do still exist when a local booksellers buys from a local small press, or better yet, the author herself. Thank you Cover to Cover, from your friends at Jambu Press/Studio Saraswati
-
Review from Gary B.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2009
It's tough being a small, independent bookstore competing against the volume and prices of megastores and online. But, Cover to Cover does pretty darn well. I really like going there for kids books. The owners always have great recommendations and consider your tastes. Their displays help you discover offbeat things you might not have considered. The only downside is the selection. I am a last minute shopper. While they are always ready to special order something, I find myself looking elsewhere for things they don't have in stock. Still, Cover to Cover is the place I often look first.
-
Review from Senta W.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2009
Cover to Cover Booksellers is a wonderful bookstore that I go every time I want a book. It also sells little timers and toys.
