Enter E.W. Cole's magical Book Arcade
Meet Melbourne's very own Willy Wonka, E.W. Cole!
Edward William (E.W.) Cole was the author of Cole's Funny Picture Books and the man behind the famous Cole's Book Arcade - a place of entertainment, imagination, and hope.
Once spanning all the way from Bourke St Mall to Collins St, it was so much more than just a book arcade - it was the place to be. At times a live band could found in the arcade, entertaining customers by playing popular classics of the day, and departments grew to include music, stationery, toys, an aviary, a tea salon, and a rather ill-considered monkey house - to name a few!
Watch this video to be transported into the arcade, and read our blog to learn more.