Appel & Dietrich Fine Foods

Location: California Street and 22nd Avenue

That bench and those little holiday lights are recent gifts from the neighbors here in the Outer Richmond, who love their corner market.

A mom-and-pop store like this one helps make a community and give it its character. Darryl Wienke and his wife Shelley have owned this venerable store only since July, and they love the neighborhood right back. This Halloween they welcomed locals who put together an elaborate haunted house in the roomy basement, right near the old meat hooks and wooden soda crates.

Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

Address: 6001 California Street

City Insider: Blogging San Francisco

Photo Credit: Carole De Nola

Christa Wonderful Market

Location: Broderick and Sacramento Streets

Hamdi Fayad is the manager here, and he can sell you anything from soup to Champagne. The hand-made sandwiches, though, are the real specialty.

Fayad and owner Mazen Gad are from Egypt. They say their five years at the store have meant a lot of work and long hours but they like it just the same. They say they are pleased that their store helps knit the neighborhood together.

Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

Address: 1926 Broderick Street

City Insider: Blogging San Francisco

Photo Credit: Carole De Nola

Gino’s Grocery Company

Location: Fillmore and Jackson Streets

With three bus lines and a batch of elementary schools nearby, Gino’s routinely calls on extended family members to come in and help manage the rush.

The deli and the wine department get a lot of business, and kids have been piling in to stock up on candy here for generations.

Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

Address: 2500 Fillmore Street

City Insider: Blogging San Francisco

Photo Credit: Carole De Nola

Searchlight Market

Location: Hyde and Union Streets

Situated right on a cable car line, there’s only one problem with this location: no parking. Owner Jackie Kim says that’s actually good for business: Russian Hill neighbors who don’t want to give up their choice parking spots to drive to a supermarket can stop here instead to get anything from liquor to fresh produce.

The store has been around for 110 years, so “we get to know faces and names,” says Kim. “We’re like the ‘Cheers’ of neighborhood stores – it makes it fun to work here.”

Neighborhood: Russian Hill

Address: 1964 Hyde Street

City Insider: Blogging San Francisco

Photo Credit: Carole De Nola

Van Ness & Vallejo Market

A few pigeons and a little graffiti don’t bother new owner Chung Lee – he used to own a market in Oakland.

Lee says this area is much better: nice people, very quiet, and no stealing.

Customers who need quarters for parking meters and bus fare come in frequently, but weekend partiers looking for a quick six-pack of beer are his bread and butter.

Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

Address: 2301 Van Ness Avenue

City Insider: Blogging San Francisco