At Browser Books «copies and titles sat on the shelves for up to fifteen to twenty years, some even being out of print. Browsing, readers were able to find books that they did not think of reading»
At Browser Books, pertinence is held in the experience of finding
Burrowed in Fillmore Street in San Francisco, an area known for its history with music, are a series of family-owned businesses founded by a diverse community. Subsisting here, alongside legacy businesses and mom-and-pop shops are Catie Damon and Jordan Pearson.
When queried on the history of Browser Books, Pearson cites that the establishment was founded under the vision of another owner altogether in 1976. Browser Books was then acquired by Stephen Damon upon working at the establishment for the span of two years.
Pearson adds that the original location of the bookstore resides «three-quarters of a block away from the current space». Having been a philosophy student who tenured at SF State, Damon, who relocated from New York City to San Francisco, was inspired by ‘On the Road’, the novel written by Jack Kerouac. Pearson adds that upon having read this literary work, Damon made the decision «to move out west and never look back».
The relocation in the 1980s: «The owner of the burger joint owned the building that Browser Books currently resides in»
Damon’s time at Browser Books opened him up to a world of genres in literature. Already interested in literary goods on philosophy and spirituality, he was additionally greeted by forms of fiction and non-fiction writing while working as an associate. When the opportunity presented itself to Damon, he purchased the bookstore from his employer in 1978.
«Stephen carried on the business for a number of years in its primary location before relocating the business to its current location sometime in the mid-80s». When prompted on the reasoning behind the relocation, Pearson highlights the landscape of San Francisco and how earthquake-prone the city has always been. With that in mind, he explains that Damon was urged to move into a different location as city developers intended to retrofit the original location to be earthquake resistant.
The search for a new location was not a difficult one. In a state of frustration, was presented with an opportunity to rent a vacant space next door. «The owner of the burger joint owned the building that Browser Books currently resides in, and we’ve been here since then. While the owner of the building is no longer with us, Browser Books’ legacy has been seen through by his children who have allowed us to subsist in the area by charging us a rate catered to our business model».
Changes over the years – Browser Books Remains in Fillmore Street
The landscape of Fillmore Street, as Pearson describes, has had changes over the years since Browser Books first established itself in the periphery, in contrast to the late 80s and 90s when the bookstore co-existed with independent businesses and those of smaller brands. To its left and right, Browser Books is accompanied by international brands, that, as he puts it, «would not allow for Browser Books to afford and exist with today’s market rates».
Having always been accepted by the community and the owners of the building, Pearson adds that Browser Books has and will continue to subsist in the Fillmore Street area. This was done with the effort of its primary and its current owners, the community, and the establishment’s business partners.
Browser Books partnership with Green Apple Books
When asked about the relationship Browser Books had with Green Apple Books, Pearson explained how the partnership began. The initial ideation was prompted by Damon when he was first diagnosed with a terminal illness. Already having the business in a shaky state, the owner assigned his soon-to-be son in law with the task of pooling funds to sustain the business.
Damon’s daughter, Catie proceeded to carry out a donation campaign online and Pearson began conversations with long-time customers on ways that they could preserve the business in the area. As per an article penned in the San Francisco Chronicle and confirmed by Pearson, a patron of Browser Books connected the manager to the owners of Green Apple Books, another bookstore closely located.
Browser Book: the curation of titles since the beginning
It was this series of conversations between Pearson and the owners of Green Apple Books Browser Books got a new lease on life. «There were some discussions on ways that Browser Books could become more profitable, as the bookstore was in a recession. That said, the owners of Green Apple Books did not intend to come into a partnership to change the ethos of Browser Books».
The partnership between Browser Books and Green Apple Books took place moments before Damon’s passing, which was the period prior to the pandemic, as Pearson explains. He affirms that had the partnership not occurred between the two legacy, name-brand bookstores, Browser Books would cease to exist today.
Browser Books, like its name, initiates a sense of exploration and search for customers. Prior to working there and managing the store as a book buyer, Pearson frequented the bookstore as a customer. «When I visited the bookstore as a customer back then, the selection of books was curated, and non-commercial. Browser was known in the community for selling comparative religion, philosophical and new-age books. Titles explored the depths of Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Western, and Eastern Philosophy and curated literary novels».
Then and now: Browser Books’ altered ethos while remaining the same
What allowed Browser Books to stand out, alongside its offering, was the limited quantity of books that was attached to each title sold in the establishment. This allowed for a wide selection of books to be displayed. Pearson adds that in Browser Books’ infancy, one that was led by Damon, right up to his passing, each title that was sold only had one copy to its name.
It was not until Pearson came into the managerial and book-buying position that he began including up-and-coming works. «While under Stephen’s pioneers, Browser held a selection of books that one could not seek out elsewhere. This meant that certain copies and titles sat on the shelves for up to fifteen to twenty years, some even being out of print. In browsing and in the process of seeking out books, readers were able to find books that they did not think of reading in the first place».
Written on the receipt upon each sale at Browser Books, Damon had inscribed a memento: «You will not only find the book you want, but you will also enjoy looking for it». This coincides with the browsing experience that the bookstore upholds today. The design of the store reminisces of a shoebox. Having once been a butcher shop – which Pearson explains to have a bullet hole in the window – the design of the store was brought together by Damon. Minor changes were made in the arrangement of the books in the store when the merger with Green Apple Books took place.
The magazine section at Browser Books
The addition of a more concise inventory management that was put in place with the merging of Green Apple Books. However, the ‘browsing’ experience still remains under the watch of Pearson. Diversity is at the heart of the curation for Browser Books today, in a mix of popular reads, also maintaining Browser Books’ keenness for philosophical and religious reads.
In addition, Pearson included a selection of periodicals and magazines. Having acquired a series of shelving units from a nearby business that shuttered down prior to Covid, with the lack of magazine suppliers in the area, Browser Books decided on catering to the needs of the locals that frequent the store.
Alongside carrying works from Anne Carson, Hermann Hesse, and Thomas Merton, magazines and periodicals like The Gentlewoman, Lampoon Magazine, and Design Anthology co-exist in the same space.
Having hosted a number of events in the past like poetry readings, Browser Books’ main goal is to remain a disseminator of fine literary works while being a safe space for the Fillmore Street community at large.
Browser Books
Browser Books, first founded in 1976 was taken over by Stephen Damon, a philosophy major with a keenness for new-age literary works. Since its establishment, Browser Books has changed hands in ownership and is now in partnership with Green Apple Books, another legacy establishment in the San Francisco area. Browser Books remains independent despite its partnership.
Pravin Nair
