We believe first and foremost that learning is a life-long endeavor. It should be fun, satisfying and mostly free from fads and gimmicks. We strive to offer a wide selection of low tech and no tech learning materials and toys. Our thirty years of experience as educators tells us that learning to read, learning to make sense of the world, learning to think critically, learning to imagine, learning to solve problems are all basic human pursuits. While technology is a tool in helping achieve these pursuits, humans have excelled in attaining these qualities for thousands of years, and in some cultures, surpassed us in understanding with tools as simple as wax tablets and counting frames. This doesn't mean we don't seek out great new products for our customers, merely that we use a "time-honored" criteria to judge the products we offer. We hope you'll find what you are looking for, and we hope you'll visit often!
John MacDougall
The Golden Apple Learning Store
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History
The Golden Apple was founded in 1979, by Barbara MacDougall. Barbara was a 4th grade teacher at Hirsh Elementary in Fremont, Ca. She took a sabbatical from teaching to open her store in a small warehouse building in San Ramon, Ca. While she intended to eventually return to the classroom and operate her store at the same time, success in retailing ended her career as a classroom teacher.
The Golden Apple continued to expand within its small space in San Ramon, and in 1985 opened a satellite location in Pleasanton operated by Barbara's sons, John and James.
Barbara continued her work in education through her stores and her involvement as a founding member of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation. Barbara passed away in 1989. She is fondly remembered, by customers, friends and former students.
Her business continued to thrive, and in 1992 a new and improved second store was opened in the Rose Pavilion in Pleasanton, operated by her son John. In 1995 the original San Ramon warehouse location had been outgrown and the Pleasanton store became the sole location. Over the years John has added many new lines that appeal to all customers, parents, teachers and grandparents. New products have required more space, and in 2000 the store moved once again to its current location, the Gateway Square in Pleasanton. At 4000+ square feet, it is 4 times the size of the original Golden Apple, and is established as an educational institution in the San Francisco Bay Area. |
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