Jack Isadore Cole (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Carl and Jack Cole were two brothers who created the successful bookstore chain Coles bookstore as well as the world famous publication of Coles Notes
. Jack (May 4, 1920 – January 22, 1997) and Carl (d.1994) were born Isadore and Carl Collofsky. Carl and Jack were very successful, making Coles the largest bookstore chain in Canada in the mid to late 20th century.
Jack attended Harbord Collegiate; however he dropped out of High School after completing grade 10 in order to help provide for his family. Carl attended Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto.
At the age of 15, Jack and his Brother Carl opened their first bookstore in 1935 under the name The Book Exchange.
The bookstore was located at Bloor and Spadina and specialized in second hand books for the University of Toronto
.
Today there have been over 80,000,000 copies of Coles Notes sold worldwide. Coles Notes can be found in over 70 countries worldwide. Coles Notes is currently owned by Indigo Books in Canada.
By 1960, Coles Notes sales peaked when baby boomers were beginning to attend high school. They had over 120 titles mostly dealing with English novels however they had numerous other subjects including math, languages, physics etc.
Jack and Carl eventually opened stores in the United States, but this venture proved to be unsuccessful, and they eventually closed the stores down.
In 1978, Jack and Carl sold their interest in Coles Bookstore to Southam Press for a reported $34,000,000. Jack remained as President of the company until the early 80s.
which at the time was the largest bookstore in the World. At 67000 square feet (6,224.5 m²), it was located in downtown Toronto
on Edward Street. The bookstore still exists today and is owned by the owner of Coles, Indigo Books and Music
.
Coles notes
Coles Notes are student guides to literature, published in Canada. The Coles bookstore first published Coles Notes in 1948. The first title published was on the French novella Colomba by Prosper Mérimée....
. Jack (May 4, 1920 – January 22, 1997) and Carl (d.1994) were born Isadore and Carl Collofsky. Carl and Jack were very successful, making Coles the largest bookstore chain in Canada in the mid to late 20th century.
Early life
Jack and Carl were born in Detroit, but the family moved to Toronto, Canada, when Jack was quite young. They had two sisters. Due to family circumstances, Jack and Carl had a very tough childhood.Jack attended Harbord Collegiate; however he dropped out of High School after completing grade 10 in order to help provide for his family. Carl attended Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto.
At the age of 15, Jack and his Brother Carl opened their first bookstore in 1935 under the name The Book Exchange.
The bookstore was located at Bloor and Spadina and specialized in second hand books for the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
World War II
Jack Cole immediately joined the Canadian Air Force when the Canadian Army joined the War. Due to his limited education, Jack Cole started as a Private however within 6 months he had been promoted to a Captain and stationed in England. At the same time, Carl ran the bookstore which was thriving in Canada.Coles Notes
Jack and Carl first published Coles Notes in 1948. The first Coles Note published was for the French novel Colomba by Propsper Mérimée.Today there have been over 80,000,000 copies of Coles Notes sold worldwide. Coles Notes can be found in over 70 countries worldwide. Coles Notes is currently owned by Indigo Books in Canada.
1950/1960s
In 1958, Jack and Carl sold the American Rights to Coles Notes to Cliff Hillegas who published the books under Cliff Notes.By 1960, Coles Notes sales peaked when baby boomers were beginning to attend high school. They had over 120 titles mostly dealing with English novels however they had numerous other subjects including math, languages, physics etc.
1970s
On June 7, 1972, Jack and Carl Cole took Coles Bookstore public, however he and Carl still maintained control over the business. At this point, Coles Bookstore had over 200 stores operating across Canada.Jack and Carl eventually opened stores in the United States, but this venture proved to be unsuccessful, and they eventually closed the stores down.
In 1978, Jack and Carl sold their interest in Coles Bookstore to Southam Press for a reported $34,000,000. Jack remained as President of the company until the early 80s.
World's Biggest Bookstore
In 1980, Jack opened the World's Biggest BookstoreWorld's Biggest Bookstore
The World's Biggest Bookstore is a bookstore located in Toronto, Ontario, at 20 Edward St, just north of the Toronto Eaton Centre. It is currently owned by Indigo Books and Music.-History:...
which at the time was the largest bookstore in the World. At 67000 square feet (6,224.5 m²), it was located in downtown Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
on Edward Street. The bookstore still exists today and is owned by the owner of Coles, Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books & Music Inc. is a Canadian retail bookstore chain. The company was founded in 1996 by CEO Heather Reisman, wife of Gerry Schwartz, majority owner and CEO of Onex Corporation....
.