BGM_Cole’s Book Arcade: Naarm - Melbourne’s Wonderland of Words

Step inside the magical world of Cole’s Book Arcade - once the most whimsical, eccentric, and most welcoming bookstore in Naarm - Melbourne had ever seen. In this episode of Down the Yarra, we dive into the life of Edward W. Cole, the dreamer behind the arcade that offered free reading, live music, monkeys, lollies, mirror mazes, political pamphlets, and well over two million books. But not all of his legacy was without controversy. Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief references to outdated and racial imagery once featured in Cole’s publications. Just us as we uncover the rise and fall of this beloved literary palace - and stick around for a teaser on our next stop: the elegant and storied Block Arcade.