Marcus Book Stores

Very helpful staff, every type of genre you could desire. I have gone in to look quite a number of time, just loving the feeling of searching, treasure hunting. However, I finally bought 2 books from here for the first time, and I never realized how over priced they were! 2books, not collectors, classics or anything, and it came to $ 19! Never again, Marcus Book Stores. I could have bought these books new for just a little more.

RIP — where is it? There should be books in there!!!
Another local small business gone from the Fillmore. Marcus Book Store on Fillmore always had the best bands for the Jazz Festival, this last year a group of talented music driven kids, wow! We used to get our kids’ book presents and African-​American calendars there. I heard the building was sold leading to the end of this great African-​American book store. It is truly a shame the store had to close and could not be preserved!!! However, I heard that there is another Marcus Book Store in Oakland — San Francisco you lost out!!!
See this clip on its history:

Too bad this bookshop never got its shit together, and now its closed. I’ve been going there for 35 years, always the same – a puny selection of books, seemingly randomly selected, and clerks who are not well versed in their own fields. I’ll support ANY bookshop no matter how bad but all the people outraged at its closure now really don’t know what they are talking about. This shop could have been world class if they had cultivated a following, which is what all bookshops have learned they must do. They were stuck in the past when all you had to do was shelve the books and wait for the customers, no more I’m afraid. I would like to see some good investigative journalist look hard at this story, it could be very illuminating. But then journalists have ignored the bookshop crises all these years, and I’m sure they buy all their books online now.

This charming little place typifies the phrase «brown is beautiful.» Eveything in this store is black: black owned, black authors, black musicians, black T-​shirts, and black music CDs. It’s amazing. It makes me wonder what little kids growing up in the Fillmore in the 80s felt walking in here, ‘proud to be black’ as the RUN DMC song goes…
The place is run by an older lady who will school you on jazz and many other things, and is super sweet and polite to everyone that comes in. The also have an adorable little dog that will be your new best friend while you discover rare out-​of-​print books on black history and identity. A must for everyone to discover and enjoy, and learn about the bright history SF has to offer.

A few years ago, I walked into this bookstore with a few colleagues of mine. What I found fascinating about this bookstore, first off, was the feel when I walked in. As the old saying goes, «they may not remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel.» A later visit, a few weeks after my first, presented a chance for me to have a deep discussion with one of the owners that confirmed this saying.
Being a big fan of books by Black authors, on Black issues and knowing that often the large book companies often do not carry the largest selection of their books (at least the books I tend to look for), it was a breath of fresh air to visit Marcus Book Store. One of the ways I size up a bookstore is to take a look at the selection they have and compare it to what I already have in my own personal library. Knowing it took a lot for me to find certain books I possess, if they have a few to all of the books I have then they become a place worth searching to expand my library. Marcus’s gets a 5-​star because they set the bar in this respect. Knowing that they have a long history of such excellence, treat yourself to a few books from their store. Peace.

Not by chance but mere fate that we strolled into Marcus Books between movies at the film festival. Cody had a seat on the cozy couch and struck up a conversation with a gentleman about academics while watching a documentary about Harry Belafonte. I had the honor of meeting Karen and getting a great introduction to James Jamerson, she pulled out a song book and even imitated the famous bass sounds. The energy, spirit, and passion for education and books is so alive behind the front doors on Fillmore. When I noticed we would be missing our movie, I hid the time and let Karen continue her story.

A nice little surprise we found while walking along Fillmore. The book selection is really good — especially the children’s section. Nice mix of historical, contemporary, academic, pop (from pulp to erotica to post modern fiction), used, and new. They were playing an old Soul Train DVD that included the Frederick Douglass Afro Sheen commercial. And little Sunny the dachsund was quite adorable. She taught herself how to sit upright on her hind legs, you know. And sit on the couch and pat your butt for attention, if you’re trying to browse for books. Glad to see Marcus Books still doing well after so long!

Excellent hidden treasure on Fillmore. This bookstore was once a famous jazz club and today has a nice variety of books authored by prominent and lesser known Blacks from throughout the diaspora. Great prices and areas to relax as you peruse. The store also has a substantial children’s books selection.

A hidden gem. A want to give it a million stars. This store is like a University except you get warmth and love as well as a good book, mug or calender.
Has an excellent choice of books for children and youth development. A wide array of history books and the fantastic thing is that they cover topics on global issues. From Africa to Brazil to the Caribbean to black people in Europe. They also of course have a fantastic section of rare and popular African American books.
It is family run and Karen always makes me feel at home. My own mother says it reminds her of her mother’s house in Kenya! There is often Sunny the dog there to keep you company and sometimes Karen’s toddler grand-​daughter very gorgeous.
This is how bookstores should be, forget those dusty shelves with the old man and his cat, this is magical!

You just need to see it for yourself. The store is painted Purple, and its located on Fillmore st.

Sometimes there’s not much to say because it just is. Marchs Books is one of those places. When I pass through the doors and am greeted by name I know I’m back home.

This place is absolutely wonderful. I walk by here almost every day and I’ve always wondered what was inside this cute purple bookstore. So today I finally had a chance to go in, and I was instantly amazed by it. I’m a black studies major at CCSF and come to find out, here was a black studies bookstore! All either written by black authors, scholars, and activists and then also a great biography section. The owner is such a nice woman and she was curious as to what I was studying and my summer plans etc. She also gave me a a little bit of a discount. Which is great in a time like this. And very nice of her to be willing to do that! They have a great selection and now I definitely know where I’ll be getting my books now :)

I havent lived that long in the area and went in thinking, cool. an independent bookstore… but with a difference… I have never been to another bookstore where you see prominently displayed current editions of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison and more. so comfortable and welcoming… and that was why the bookstore was started in the 1960s I was told… wonderful. will be back for sure… and Karen was so warm and interesting and her little granddaughter, Gina, is adorable, probably not close to 2 yet. she goes to the children’s section and picks out the Obama book by herself and it isnt the most reachable one for her ! How about that?

This is a great bookstore, not only for its contents but also the service. I met Karen for the 1^st time. She was pleasantly friendly and quite knowledgeable with recommendations for my next book club read.
Check it out! It’s a gem in the Fillmore district.

A bookstore for African American literature and writing. I was killing some time so I walked in, not knowing what I would find. Inside I found lots of great books, and was greeted by the cutest littel Dachshund who gave me kisses just for walking in. I love a store with a resident cute pet. I came out with a paper back mystery… it looks silly, but will be good on a plane ride.
I will have to go back for some more dog kisses and another book.

I was walking along Fillmore on my way to the Goodwill to see what treasures I might find– when I saw this quaint little bookstore– it’s solely dedicated to African American writers, genre, history, and culture. I LOVE IT!!! There’s even a mystery and romance section– how kewl is that!!! I also saw they had a cooking section– which reminded me of the best southern style cooking I’ve had from Texas… From the plaques of awards that adorn the wall– im suprised its not at all busy… lots of chairs abound to welcome readers too :-) Would love to see a magazine section though…

a few weeks ago, i had to get some books for my black studies classes here and i was suprised by how wonderful this store is. specializing in black literature for children and adults, the wide array of offerings is quite wonderful and educational. from poetry books to children’s books to art books to text books, they’ve got most everything in this little purple house. if you need something specific or aren’t sure what to look for, ask the lovely ladies that run this shop some questions. they’re sweet, knowledgeable and altogether amazing.