(January 23, 2009) – The community of La Jolla has a rich history of
entrepreneurial spirit and service. The first businesses started opening in La
Jolla in the 1890s when the town was still a small village of dirt roads and
few residents. Over time, more stores appeared along Girard Avenue, some with
only simple store fronts.
To celebrate these humble beginnings, a new temporary exhibition entitled Merchants
& Memories: Reflections on La Jolla’s Business Community Heritage opens on Friday, February 6 at 10am in Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect Street. The
free exhibition, open daily from 10am to 3pm daily until February 21st, will
highlight many of La Jolla’s renowned commercial enterprises – past and present
– that have operated here since the late 1800s.
One example of a small business that will appear in Merchants & Memories is the long-gone La Jolla French Laundry that
operated for only a brief time in the early twentieth century. The proprietor
picked up and delivered clothes in a charming Model T panel truck. Unfortunately,
history does not record what made the enterprise “French.”
“We realize that the global economy is a reality,” says the Society’s Executive
Director, John Bolthouse. “But it will always be La Jolla’s great local
businesses that will ensure this town’s unique economic identity. This
exhibition is a small way of conveying to the public the enduring success of La
Jolla’s local businesses while recognizing their support of the La Jolla
Historical Society.”
Among the more than fifty businesses – past and current – featured in the
exhibit will be: Warwick’s; Dewhurst & Associates; Meanley & Son
Hardware; Rushton’s Bicycle Shop; Harry’s Coffee Shop; The Cave Store; John
Cole’s Books Shop; the Cove Theater; Brockton Villa Restaurant; and Burn’s
Drugs. It will feature dozens of historic images; artifacts including original
building signs and examples of products and vintage documents; and perspectives
on the history, growth and specialization of La Jolla’s business community. A
multi-media element is also planned.
As the date for the opening of Merchants & Memories approaches, the content of the exhibit will
continue to be developed. “To make this effort truly special, we’re involving
today’s businesses in tomorrow’s history by asking them to contribute images,
records and memorabilia,” says Michael Mishler, the Society’s Archivist &
Curator. “This is about their heritage and we
encourage their participation.”
The La Jolla
Historical Society
La Jolla’s connection to
its rich heritage, the La Jolla Historical Society's offices and archives are located at 7846 Eads Avenue, La Jolla.
Open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(858) 459-5335. www.lajollahistory.org
# # #
Ruth
Chandler Varonfakis
Chandler Communications
Office: 858.273.0928
Mobile: 619.980.0928
RCVaronfakis@aol.com or
SanDiegoMedia@aol.com
