Before it was a destination for San Francisco food lovers, Bi-Rite was a corner grocery. Brothers Joe and Bill Cordano opened the original market in the Mission District in 1940, according to Wikipedia. In 1964 they sold it to brothers Jack and Ned Mogannam. In 1997, Ned's sons Sam and Raphael took over, and Sam Mogannam still owns and runs the business.
Farm to grocery
Under the younger Mogannams, Bi-Rite became known for prepared foods made with locally grown produce. Wikipedia credits it as a pioneer of the farm-to-grocery store movement. The store published a book, Eat Good Food, and supports a nonprofit food education project, 18 Reasons. It was certified as a B Corporation in late 2015.
Three markets and a creamery
Wikipedia says the second market opened on Divisadero Street in 2013 and the third opened in Russian Hill in 2024. A fourth, in the Richmond District, is scheduled for 2027. Bi-Rite's own site describes three neighborhood markets, a catering company and an ice cream shop. It says Bi-Rite Creamery has been scooping for 20 years and serves 24 locally made seasonal and signature flavors.
This season
Bi-Rite's site is promoting fall produce from local farmers, a new morning pastry case in all three markets, and its Thanksgiving menu. It also offers online grocery delivery to San Francisco and parts of the Peninsula, East Bay and Marin.