John Cole's Book Shop, Independent bookstore in La Jolla, California, US
John Cole's Book Shop was an independent bookstore housed in a cottage-style building in La Jolla featuring separate sections for fiction, nonfiction, and Mexican literature. The store specialized in titles about Mexico and the Baja Peninsula region.
John and Barbara Cole opened their bookshop in 1946 on Ivanhoe Avenue, later relocating to the Wisteria Cottage location. The move happened in 1966 as the business became established in La Jolla.
The bookstore maintained strong connections with local writers, including Dr. Seuss, who regularly signed books for the establishment since the 1940s.
The store was located at 780 Prospect Street in La Jolla, making it easily accessible to visitors in the downtown area. The collection was well-organized, allowing shoppers to browse different genres and regional literature with ease.
The shop sold harmonicas alongside its books, an unusual addition to a typical bookstore inventory. Family members like Zachary Cole contributed to this creative expansion of the business.
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