Galco's Old World Grocery on Postcard

"In the age of globalization, when the long tentacles of Pepsi and Coca-Cola have touched even the most remote places in the world, Galco’s Soda Pop Stop is a unique place. It is a throwback to the age when every county had its own small soda manufacturer and every town its own beer brewery. This shop carries an immense variety of soda brands from all corners of the U.S., and as far away as Romania. Its catalog includes obscure, almost forgotten, old brands and imports available in only a few spots on the planet. Find flavors as strange as rose water and cucumber soda. The true treasure of this place is its owner, John F. Nese, a man who may be the world’s preeminent expert on matters of soda flavors. He can authoritatively explain why glass bottles are better than plastic ones and why Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola are superior to the normal variety. He stands always ready to suggest a new variety or flavor. Galco’s Soda Pop Stop offers online purchases with limited international delivery." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

9 Cool Shops in Los Angeles

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@onthegrid

"Galco's Old World Grocery, Highland Park. Since 1897, Galco's has been a main fixture in Highland Park. Come here and try not to be overwhelmed by a selection of over 700 different soda pops. If you can't find one you like, there's even a soda mixing station, so craft away your perfect blend. Galco's also has a really wide selection of craft beer if soda is not your thing and while you're at it, grab some old time candy bars. You can also grab a bite here from the deli in the back. Step back in time and feel like a kid again."

Los Angeles

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Cyndi Markle

Google

This place was awesome. A must do!! They have so many selections of sodas. There was also a small selection of beer and wine. Gallon has a make your own soda bar that was pretty cool too.

Katherine Umaña

Google

Recommend coming here! So many options for sodas, juice, teas, and even alcohol. There's also a "make your own soda flavors". There's a portion of the store dedicated to old-time candy and toys. In the back there are sandwiches. I had the tuna sandwich and it was so good! Everyone greeted us as we passed by the aisles and seem friendly. There's a parking lot to it, too.

Amelia Welles

Google

So awesome. If you're looking for amazing sodas, look no further. I was never a soda person until I came here. As someone who has a corn allergy, it's great that so many of their options have cane sugar instead of corn syrup. If you see the owner, he's super helpful and has a ton of great suggestions.

Nick Nuechterlein

Google

Only have a sec, so just a few notes: build your own soda (more != better), Christmas beer all year round, PEZ from last century, and any soda you remember from your childhood. Terrific, said a person when we walked in. Wow, we said when we walked out. With family today, but they rhyme with friends. What a day in LA, only halfway done, down a hill, up a hill, and bagels and peanut-infused coffee, and (!) a house chalk full of corvettes (6? 7? 8?). Heavens all around the world, this we believe, but here too we find ourselves in another’s post-mitotic Eden. Birds, palm trees, and towering photos of Oprah. I love it here, I love this day, I love the people, my people. Soda, it makes you reflect. Things happen to you in this life, and often you haven’t a say in them. Family, weather, broken sidewalks. Today I will remember as a touchstone, something to return to to feel again how fortunate I am. Whatever may come my way.

Alexis Kuno

Google

Not a bad little find. My friend and I went looking for things to do here and this came up. It's almost hard to find if you're not paying attention haha. It seems like a local thing so it wasn't busy. Drove about 35 minutes to come and get cool drinks. There is a sandwich shop as well and a make your own soda creator in the back which was cool. I found a few drinks I haven't seen since I was younger so that was great nostalgic moment for me. Spent about 50 bucks on drinks and candy. Over all I will come back and try some new sodas and drinks.

Lois Wildman

Google

Awesome selection of old-time sodas and candies. The soda pop store in glass bottles and with real sugar. They're the ones that take you back to your childhood. Such a fun shopping experience the people there are very friendly and helpful.

Bloofur here

Google

It's like stepping into the past which I love. It has candies and sodas I would never dream of tasting but they are delicious. The environment feels almost 70s or 80s which is amazing and I hope this business keeps on thriving. I feel it's an important part of highland.

Noah Langford

Google

Unbelievable collection of sodas you can’t find anywhere else. Extensive varieties of root beer and other flavors as well as vintage candy. Love how you can make your own flavors of soda too

Cyndi Markle

Google

This place was awesome. A must do!! They have so many selections of sodas. There was also a small selection of beer and wine. Gallon has a make your own soda bar that was pretty cool too.

Katherine Umaña

Google

Recommend coming here! So many options for sodas, juice, teas, and even alcohol. There's also a "make your own soda flavors". There's a portion of the store dedicated to old-time candy and toys. In the back there are sandwiches. I had the tuna sandwich and it was so good! Everyone greeted us as we passed by the aisles and seem friendly. There's a parking lot to it, too.

Amelia Welles

Google

So awesome. If you're looking for amazing sodas, look no further. I was never a soda person until I came here. As someone who has a corn allergy, it's great that so many of their options have cane sugar instead of corn syrup. If you see the owner, he's super helpful and has a ton of great suggestions.

Nick Nuechterlein

Google

Only have a sec, so just a few notes: build your own soda (more != better), Christmas beer all year round, PEZ from last century, and any soda you remember from your childhood. Terrific, said a person when we walked in. Wow, we said when we walked out. With family today, but they rhyme with friends. What a day in LA, only halfway done, down a hill, up a hill, and bagels and peanut-infused coffee, and (!) a house chalk full of corvettes (6? 7? 8?). Heavens all around the world, this we believe, but here too we find ourselves in another’s post-mitotic Eden. Birds, palm trees, and towering photos of Oprah. I love it here, I love this day, I love the people, my people. Soda, it makes you reflect. Things happen to you in this life, and often you haven’t a say in them. Family, weather, broken sidewalks. Today I will remember as a touchstone, something to return to to feel again how fortunate I am. Whatever may come my way.

Alexis Kuno

Google

Not a bad little find. My friend and I went looking for things to do here and this came up. It's almost hard to find if you're not paying attention haha. It seems like a local thing so it wasn't busy. Drove about 35 minutes to come and get cool drinks. There is a sandwich shop as well and a make your own soda creator in the back which was cool. I found a few drinks I haven't seen since I was younger so that was great nostalgic moment for me. Spent about 50 bucks on drinks and candy. Over all I will come back and try some new sodas and drinks.

Lois Wildman

Google

Awesome selection of old-time sodas and candies. The soda pop store in glass bottles and with real sugar. They're the ones that take you back to your childhood. Such a fun shopping experience the people there are very friendly and helpful.

Bloofur here

Google

It's like stepping into the past which I love. It has candies and sodas I would never dream of tasting but they are delicious. The environment feels almost 70s or 80s which is amazing and I hope this business keeps on thriving. I feel it's an important part of highland.

Noah Langford

Google

Unbelievable collection of sodas you can’t find anywhere else. Extensive varieties of root beer and other flavors as well as vintage candy. Love how you can make your own flavors of soda too

Galco's Old World Grocery

Galco's Old World Grocery

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