Top San Francisco Stores For Back-To-School Shopping
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The ringing sound of that first period school bell is upon us and that means it's time to stock up on supplies for students. Parents have a wide range of choices in San Francisco, where a number of family-owned businesses carry plenty of school-related items. From technology tools to pens, paper, clothing and shoes, a number of local stores are well-stocked to meet classroom needs. And that even includes items for the student who prefers to use their left hand instead of their right.
560 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 392-2640
us18.sf.adminscreen.net
A family-owned store in San Francisco for over 140 years, Patrick & Co. got its start selling business supplies and rubber stamps in the late nineteenth century when clipper ships would dock in the city's port. The business is still run today by fourth generation Patricks. They have three locations in San Francisco that stock an impressive range of office supplies to meet any school shopping need. Patrick & Co. also carries technology products including HP calculators.
540 Hayes St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 565-0508
www.shopfiddlesticks.com
Fiddlesticks was started 16 years ago by a mom who wanted bright, fun clothes for her kids. San Francisco parents have been flocking to the Hayes Valley location ever since. In-store brands they carry include Livie & Luca as well as Morgan & Milo. Fiddlesticks also has a good children's shoe selection that covers up to size 13 for that especially fast-growing student.
837 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 495-5888
www.centralcomputers.com
With schools becoming increasingly more reliant on technology in the classroom, chances are good that a back-to-school list will include computer-related items. Central Computers has been around nearly 30 years and has an impressive inventory based on the principle that if three customers ask for a product, they will carry it. The San Francisco store stocks a wide range of laptops, desktops, tablets and peripherals. Central also offers a student discount program for grade 9 and higher.
Pier 39
Beach St. & The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 956-9131
www.leftyslefthanded.com
Left-handed school supply shoppers frustrated by poor selections for them at big chain stores need look no further than Lefty's, a San Francisco institution on Pier 39. It was the first business that specialized in left-handed products when it opened in 1978. Left-handed pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, spiral notebooks and scissors are just a few of the items to be found here. They also offer school supply sets for kids under and over eight years of age, along with sets for college-bound students.
451 Cortland Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-3300
chloescloset.com
Originated from a chance exchange between two moms on a website parenting forum, Chloe's Closet is now entering their fourteenth year and has won numerous local awards for their concept. It is where parents can buy, sell or trade children's clothing, along with toys and baby gear. They generally have a huge selection of recycled items at excellent prices for kids of all sizes and ages. In addition to clothing, Chloe's two San Francisco locations in Bernal Heights and Inner Sunset also carry shoes and books.
