Mission


Established in 1975, Appletree Books is an independent bookstore located in the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood of Cleveland Heights (just up the hill from Cleveland’s University Circle), Appletree Books offers an eclectic, well-curated selection of new book titles in multiple genres for both children and adults. 

We seek to offer books that transport readers to other places, both visually and verbally and aim to introduce beautifully illustrated and interesting books to our customers. 

Discover greeting cards, journals, letterpress cards, and notecards in addition to puzzles, bookends, candles, and small gift items in an intimate, warm space in the historic Heights Center building. 

PRODUCT LINES

We are pleased to carry the following from local and national gift and paper goods designers.

NATIONAL 

LOCAL 


Publishers


What sets Appletree Books apart is that we maintain accounts with publishers and purchase from them directly, as opposed to ordering primarily from Ingram, the nation’s largest book wholesaler. In addition, Appletree Books sells only new books, not previously owned titles. 

Community

Book Groups

Our Books In A Bar book group is currently on vacation! We are currently evaluating ideas for our next selection of books, location options, and times for our group to meet.  Look for more information on our plans in January! If you have any ideas for a book to read and discuss, can you call us at 216-791-2665, or send an email to info@appletree-books.com with your ideas!

Learn More

Community

Educators

We offer a 20% educator discount on books and other materials purchased in the store that are used in your classes. Just present your valid educator’s ID at the time of purchase!

Customer Reviews

Cameron Goodwin-Schoen
Cameron Goodwin-Schoen
2023-09-16
A lovely spot with a good selection for book lovers, a trendy crowd, and everyone in between. A great place to stop in and grab a few things. Good options for gifts, children's books, some antique items, and up and coming authors. A charming staff and I will be coming back :)
Corbin Covault
Corbin Covault
2023-07-15
They had just what I wanted!
Elizabeth Smith
Elizabeth Smith
2023-06-24
I was visiting from out of town and was delighted by the selection of books and puzzles for both adults and kids! The staff was welcoming and friendly and helped me select some books I never would have chosen for myself otherwise. I will totally be back if I return to the area.
Lizzie Bjork
Lizzie Bjork
2023-06-17
I love Appletree! They went all out for Independent Bookstore Day, hiding Monopoly money that you could redeem for gift cards. Although the store is small, there are a lot of books and they restock and rearrange the displays frequently. Plus, I have started going to their book club at Parnell’s Pub (on the second? Monday @7 pm) and I love it! Holly is so welcoming and a great moderator, and everyone has refreshing and interesting takes.
Morgan
Morgan
2022-12-13
Good bookstore. Wish there were more books
Billie-Jean Castillo
Billie-Jean Castillo
2022-10-03
BEAUTIFUL AND ICONIC! Staff is helpful and very friendly. Can't wait to go back!!

Staff


Lynn Quintrell

Lynn purchased Appletree Books in 2014 and has been on the entrepreneurial journey ever since. Raised in New Jersey, she married a Cleveland native and has enjoyed living in Cleveland for over 30 years. She has also managed to rope her spouse into providing accounting and technology support for the store. Lynn enjoys historical fiction, contemporary fiction and beautiful interior design and garden books.

Michael Wells

Michael has loved books since birth and has been with Appletree Books for over five years. His friends bemoan his library, but he loves every page in it.  He is particularly drawn to classics (loosely defined), history and mystery.  Note that in his library he has both Faulkner and History and Faulkner and Mystery, but his favorite book is Stoner by John Williams.

Holly Scott

Born and raised in the Cleveland area, Holly has spent the majority of her working life involved in education. She and her husband, also a retired teacher, have three children  who with their families love to explore the outdoors, spend time in Maine and read.  With Appletree Books for about a year, Holly enjoys multiple genres and authors from Kevin Henkes and Jan Brett to Paulette Jiles and Richard Russo

Lorie Novak

A happy grandmother from Garfield Heights, Lorie has been with Appletree Books for over four years.  She brings extensive retail and customer service experience, and she enjoys reading books from multiple genres, be they mystery, fantasy, historical fiction or translated, international fiction.

Ed Alix

Ed has been with Appletree Books for over ten years; he is our delivery person “extraordinaire” as well as our off-site event sales manager.  With many professional years spent in the East Cleveland school district, Ed harkens from Connecticut originally but considers Cleveland home after 40 plus years.

Kristen Fistek

A mother of three, Kristen is an avid reader of multiple genres.  Although her professional background is in counseling, Kristen was an English major in college, and by working at Appletree Books, she is able to share her literature knowledge and enthusiasm with other readers.

Tessa Hartman

Tessa graduated from Cleveland State University where she studied film production and scrptwriting. For as long as she’s loved movies, she has also loved books. When it comes to genre, Tessa isn’t picky and can always get lost in a good story.


Careers


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We are always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our team. Please complete the form below to submit your cover letter and resume.

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