Footnote Books

A compact, and wonderfully cluttered used bookstore with an owner who gave me an amazing tutorial on first edition books. The beauty of this place is that you can go in having no idea what books you’ll come out with, and that’s half the fun. Great prices, accepts credit cards, and I’ll definitely be going back.
Thanks Footnote Books!

Great little eclectic used book store in North Park, has quite a large selection. Although a bit overpriced, the man that owns this store has got a little of everything, it’s pretty amazing. My husband has been looking for beginner astronomy books for quite a while and hasn’t had much luck – he found exactly what he was looking for at Footnote Books and even something better that he didn’t know existed.
Travel, cooking, fiction, movie-​themed – he’s got everything. A really great place for Christmas shopping; he’s got that odd, perfect book for the person on your list that you have NO idea what to get. Check it out.

I greeted the proprietor, who was still setting up for the day, and was told I was welcome to come in as long as I stood where he could see me. I asked whether he had a French language section, and he answered that he needed to relieve me of my purse.
As I had a few hundred dollars in cash (ready to be spent on books) and more than that in electronics in my purse, I was not comfortable leaving it unattended, but offered to let him search it prior to my departure. I said goodbye before he could get more than a few lines into his rant about the thieves he’d encountered in his 24-​year career as a book seller.
It’s cool, man. Everyone is entitled to his/​her policies. It’s mine to spend my money at establishments with friendlier booksellers.

LOVE this bookstore! They had a great selection of INTERESTING, useful and unique books, not just the books no one wants like most used bookstores. I purchased 6 books for $ 21! None of the books were in bad condition either! The owner must be picky :) I could literally spend all day in there. Definitely recommend!

I’ve been trying to get back to bookworm status and reread some of my favorite books from my school days. lol. Thought it would be cool to check out some used bookstores to find books instead of going to a big box retailer since it’s also nice to support local small businesses. This shop is tiny but stacked high to the ceiling with books! The owner was really nice and helped track down a lot of of the titles I was looking for. He only had 2 but I look forward to coming back!

ohmyf*ckinggoodness. this place is super cute.
just kidding. no it’s not.
if i had to describe this place. i’d probably go with a beautifully bohemian disastrous hot mess.
hmmm. kind of reminds me of someone i used to date.
anyways.
this place is small. and i’m going to have to say that their collection is limited.
yet this place. has a certain book nerd charm to it.
because seriously. i wasn’t expecting to find two of three books that i couldn’t find at any bookstores in sd.
really. how hard is it to find a copy of the princess bride. because i’ll tell you what. went to like five bookstores. and nope.
also. finding a copy of a doll’s house that was not part of a compliation.
scoooooooooore. plus it only cost me seven dollars for both. now that’s what’s up.
this place even had mangas. T_​T
i’m not sure how the system of finding books here work. but there’s definitely a system. the guy at the desk found my two books. quick.
and even if you’re not looking for anything particular. it’s a cool spot to kick it. and find a book on accident. and sh*t.

I love used book stores, and this store has such a wide selection. It does appear dis organized, but that’s just because there are SO MANY books and the store is small. If you ask the guy that works there he knows where things are located. I’ve been in here a couple times, and each time I find something to read. Looking at reviews, it kind of bothers me to see that people complain so much about the guy that works there. He’s a nice guy and will give you recommendations if you ask — he’s just quiet and reserved, and I think that often gets written off as being mean or unfriendly.

I am the biggest fan of bookstores, especially used bookstores, and even poorly organized, can-​barely-​walk-​through-​the-​stacks-​of-​books bookstores (aka this one).
I walked in with a friend and loved the initial vibe. I got really excited at the thought of spending a long time sifting through the books, maybe to find something I didn’t even know I was searching for.
There is some organization to the store, fiction, non-​fiction, poetry, etc. I thought the store owner (?) that was sitting at the desk by the door would be helpful. Umm, not really. Very unfriendly.
I made it to the back of the small store and there was a glass case with some books inside. I’m not sure if they were first edition, rare, signed, what-​have-​you, but all I saw was a sign that said «please ask for assistance.» Fair enough. One book caught my eye, which was an OZ book with Jack the Pumpkin King on the front — something I knew my sister would want to see. I took my phone out to snap a quick pic to send to her, and immediately got YELLED at! «NO! YOU CANNOT TAKE PICTURES OF THE BOOKS IN THAT CASE!» …what? Haha. If there was a sign stating «no pictures!» I would understand. If he had kindly asked me to not take a photo, I would understand. But do NOT yell at someone like that! I quickly said «have a nice day,» and walked out of the store immediately.
It’s clear I’m not the only one to have received poor service. Good luck with your shop, I guess.

This is a pretty good bookstore. The guy that works there is really nice, and he’ll make suggestions on good books if you talk to him. They have a nice selection and everything is fairly cheap. However, some of the books are stacked so they’re hard to get at, but if you have a bit of time, that can make going through them kind of fun. If you have a bag they make you leave it with them (even if it’s a small purse) which I wasn’t really comfortable with, but their store, their rules. Other than that, it’s really great and if you’re looking for something good to read, you should come here.
It’s pretty quirky though, with all of the knick-​knacks around the top of the shelves, so it probably attracts all of the hipsters.
*They take card, but only if you buy $ 5 or more*

Don’t you just love when you go into a shop with a list of things you want and find yourself having to decide which things to buy from the STACK in your hands? I scoured the bookstores in Hillcrest today and this little gem is the best, hands down. Like most have already said, it’s cramped and bursting with books from floor to ceiling. Spending some quality time in there yielded some great finds, as I was in there looking for literary classics and this guy’s shop delivered. Most everything is half off the sticker price. With selection and affordability like this, Footnote will be my one stop the next time I’m in the area.

I do not know what this guy is thinking. I may give him another chance only because he is in Hilcrest. I work and live in Hilcrest. I went into this store. I just wanted to checkout his nursing books or philosophy books. The guy asked me for my bag when there is a young white lady standing there with her bag. I felt so sad that I was treated like this. I do not leave my drinks behind and I was not comfortable leaving my food with him especially since the young lady only volunteered after he asked me. That is why I have a nook, iPad, Kindle and go to B&N so I can complain when this stuff happens. I never leave my food in B&N. As a nurse I am skeptical eating or drinking anything that leaves my sight.

Independent bookstore with a good selection of used books.

Ah bookstores, may you never completely fade away.
Nice little place on University. Most everything ½ off the cover price. Just like a bookstore should be: a creeky front door and bells jingle as you walk in. Small, tight, compact rows. Books abound floor to ceiling, in rows, stacks, shelves, and bundles. Old books, new books, dusty books. Smells like books!
Cash or credit accepted. Owner is knowledgeable and offers assistance.
It’s nice to have a little nook of a book store to find something special still printed on paper.

This is probably the best bookstore in Hillcrest. Book lovers and bibliophiles know that a good bookstore isn’t about walking into a library and finding exactly what you’re looking for. A good bookstore is about finding what you’re not looking for, finding something that catches you by recalling something from your past, reminding you about a long neglected part of yourself, or simply ensnares your fancy. This bookstore does that well – being a little disorganized is, therefore, part of the journey.

Love this bookstore. Has a very Mom and Pop feel. The owner is very nice and helpful. I have been here only once but it was a very impressionable experience.
I would recommend any true book love to check it out.

I don’t know if it was just the day or what it was. But I stumbled into this bookstore and immediately my coffee and my bag was retrieved, I didn’t take it personal, I just believed that it was for their security and he didn’t want a spill on the books… still trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I asked for the tibetan books location and I the willingness to assist was so hesitant. I found the section and sifted through the books for about 15minutes. After I retrieved the book i wanted, i went back to the front desk to pay. Pulled out my card, gave him my id, that wasn’t good enough, offered a new id, that wasn’t good enough, after that moment of rudeness and clearly an inability to assist me with atm, I just gave back the book and left.
Business owners, front desk clerks, whatever the position this person held should always remember to leave their personalities at home, and always present opportunities or assistance to the sale, and not talk a client out of purchasing. Since i am a business owner, I know the stress of running a business, and about loss prevention, but there is a fine line between, preventing loss and making a potential customer feel totally uncomfortable.

So you decide you’re going to open a store. You’re going to be working in the service industry. Maybe you should take into consideration whether you’re a «people person» or you’re a total dick.
I was meeting a friend of mine for dinner and was running late. They let me know they would be waiting in this book store. My friend was perusing the collection and like you sometimes to do, carrying around a book that he was thinking of possibly purchasing. In the end he didn’t purchase the book and the owner of the store very rudely said to him «So uh, where’s that book you were carrying around forever?» My friend told him he decided to put it back and offered to bring it to him and the owner just waved at him dismissively and then proceeded to be extremely rude to yet another guest who walked in, obviously looking to purchase something from him because he was asking for books on a specific subject and seemed very interested.
Nothing irks me more than poor service. I will never patronize this store and if any of my friends ever mention it to me I’ll make a point to relate my experience to them.

Holy Satan meets Vladimir Lenin (read on for an explanation of this)! So I am in the minority when it comes to my view of this place. I simply didn’t like it, and here is why:
1. When I entered the store the guy told me I needed to give him my bags. I asked him if I looked like a thief, and he responded by saying that he needed to suspect everyone equally… uhm…okay. My bag was left on the floor by the counter, and not safely behind it. I had my wallet and my iPod in there, so I was not too keen on spending much time in a store where (a) its owner thinks everyone who walks through the door is a thief, and (b) he leaves my bag out where a thief could make off with it. I mean, I go to second-​hand bookstores all the time, and this is the first time I was asked to check my bag.
2. He had a model of a Nazi army tank (see photo) displayed atop a book shelf. Mind you, he could simply be a WWII buff, but it wasn’t part of a history display and I think it might put some people off.
3. The layout is a huge mess. One feels like one is tramping through a packed attic when navigating this shop. The books are also out of alphabetical order according to author. It was a total mess. Also, he has items that aren’t even viewable. I asked if he had any «camp» pulp fiction with interesting cover art, and he pointed to a top shelf way out of reach (perhaps from these apparent thieves who haunt his messy store), and they were wrapped in dirty plastic. I couldn’t be bothered to ask to look through them.
4. Prices. The prices were stupid. Many of the literature books I picked up were half off the retail price, but were in very poor condition. Also, there was a two volume set of Byron’s poems from the 1830s. There was no price on them. When I asked about the price, he wanted $ 60 just because they have age to them. I pointed out that the paper was in severe stages of deterioration (paper from that time period was made with a chemical that causes yellowing and staining that look like oil splatters if it is not stored in a temperature controlled area), and this set was in a very bad state. He then argued that the lithograph in the book adds more value. LOL, what!!! No it doesn’t! Not if the condition is crap! Then he went on to tell me that he has been a book dealer for 20 years, and that he knew his stuff. Seems like he has more to learn, really. Furthermore, they were not a true first edition. I would have paid $ 10 for them tops. In England (where I lived for over a decade and sold and traded antique books) such volumes would go for 5 to 10 quid, tops.
5. Vibe. Now, not that one’s looks necessarily have an impact on business, but this guy looks like a cross between Anton Lavey and Vladimir Lenin; sort of creepy (see photo). When someone who makes you think of a hybrid Satanist/​Communist demands your bags, decorates with Nazi tanks, and gets butt-​hurt over a customer’s EDUCATED appraisal of what a book is worth, it just doesn’t make you feel like you are in a nice, cozy book store.
Seriously, this guy should give up on selling books and go open an army surplus store that sells Nazi and Soviet Russian memorabilia.
My suggestion: go to Adams Ave Books. The store is clean, easy, and the prices are far better.

I love this place. This place is like something out of a movie. Check out the curiosities that adorn the upper shelves. (A stuffed peacock?!)Theres a live gremlin in cage in the back that reads ‘mogwai not for sale’. Haha… just kidding.
There’s so much here. including records, comics, old photos. I always find something interesting or rare here! I prefer this place to other bookstores for it’s cozy, antique feel and ecclectic selection. You can tell the owner knows a thing or two about books. There is usually a bargain box out front on the sidewalk that more often than not has some good finds.

Footnote is a great, smallish used bookstore that reminds me a lot of Ravenswood Used Books in Chicago: compact, slightly cluttered, rewarding for browsers; they even have very similar layouts.
I found a near-​new paperback of Stephen Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage for $ 6. It’s a book that I read a few years ago but would love to have on my shelf, so I snapped that up in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. To my nostalgic delight, I found a handful of old Golden Guides! I grew up on those little books; Footnote had Geology, Stars, Rocks and Minerals, and a few others. The copyright on Rocks and Minerals was 1957, and I bet that some of the science is laughably outdated, but as the store owner said to me, «The basics are probably still true.» I bought two just for old times’ sake.
I also got a $ 2.50 paperback of Nabokov’s Pale Fire. I could have walked out with a lot more books if I had more room in my luggage for them. It may be a small shop, but in most ways it is superior to the two stores nearby in Hillcrest. With only two reviews, it seems that this place might be overlooked; please go give this guy some business!