Stacey's Bookstore

Status: Defunct

New/Used: Not set

Web site: http://www.staceys.com/

Events: http://www.staceys.com/sanfranci… (updated February 14)

Description: ***After 85 years of continuous operation, Stacey's closed on March 17, 2009.***

From the website:

"One bright day in 1921, at 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains, John W. Stacey, a skilled botanist and bookseller, was discussing High Sierra flora with a prominent San Francisco physician. Their conversation turned to the medical book needs of Western doctors and the seeds of one of California’s greatest bookselling institutions were sown.

When Mr. Stacey returned to the City, he began to call on doctor friends to test their desire for a medical book service. With a stake of $20,000 raised from 47 California physicians, Stacey quit the Emporium book department and opened a 216 square foot store in the Flood Building on Market Street in 1923. The store started with 400 books on 240 feet of shelves and Mr. Stacey as the lone employee.

By 1946, after 25 years of specializing in medical books, STACEY’S began to carry a comprehensive line of technical and professional titles, including the first computer books ever published. The business grew dramatically, and a second store was opened in1959 at the current Market Street location. It was here in the 1960’s that general trade books made their first appearance with the establishment of a large paperback book department in the basement. The assortment of general books was enhanced when the main store was renovated and expanded in 1996, adding 10,00 square feet of retail space.

In 1968, twenty-five years after the death of John Stacey, STACEY’S became a part of the Brodart company. Brodart had its beginnings in 1939 when Arthur Brody, still chairman of the company today, invented a book jacket protector, the plastic cover you see on almost all library books. Brodart has also grown over the years and now manufactures and distributes almost anything needed by a library, from furniture and fixtures to computerized cataloging and circulation systems, and, of course, books and book covers.

The flagship STACEY’S, located in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district, set the standard for "superstores" long before the term was coined, with three levels of books and superior service.

Our continuing emphasis on developing the best all-around selection of professional books and bookselling services in the area has given us a reputation for quality and completeness that extends far beyond the region. National and international shipouts comprise an important part of our business, as do sales to over 1,000 active corporate account customers. Our successful Literary License frequent-buyer program boasts over 35,000 card-carrying, book-buying members. STACEY’S now carries an inventory of over 150,000 books at any give time, a far cry from what John W. Stacey envisioned when he came down from the mountain to open the first store. One thing that has not changed, however, is our original commitment to meet the ongoing book needs of the West."

Added by: hvhay.  Contacted: Not contacted.  Venue ID: 3589