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Brown & Cole, Inc. Records, 1888-2023

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brown & Cole, Inc.
Title
Brown & Cole, Inc. Records
Dates
1888-2023 (inclusive)
Quantity
14 linear feet, (28 boxes 1 rolled document)
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0390
Summary
This collection documents the history, activities and impact of Brown & Cole, Inc., a long-time grocery store business and operation based in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 1909 (and incorporated in 1912), Brown & Cole, Inc. expanded over the decades to operate more than 30 stores, with locations across Washington State as well as in Oregon and Montana.
Repository
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public for research (some access and use provisions apply). Advance notice required for access to audio-visual materials (video).

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Brown & Cole was founded in 1909 by Linden Brown and George H. Cole, beginning with a single dry goods store in Lynden (Washington State). The business moved to Bellingham, Washington and was formally incorporated in 1912. Subsequent decades saw Brown & Cole - still a locally owned and operated enterprise - expand from one Bellingham grocery store and location to ownership of more than 30 stores across Washington as well as in Oregon and Montana.

Leadership of Brown & Cole was very much a family affair: Jack B. Cole (son of George H. and Claire Cole) took over as company president from his father in 1956, and Craig W. Cole (son of Jack B. and Ramona Cole) became president and chief executive officer in 1989. While "Brown & Cole" is the generic term used to refer to the company and its assets, Brown & Cole operated with and under such names, partnerships, license and affiliations as:

  • Brown & Cole Stores
  • Brown & Cole Stores, LLC
  • Brown & Cole Thriftway
  • Thriftway
  • Mark & Pak
  • Food Pavilion
  • Thrifty Foods
  • Food Depot
  • Cascade Food Company
  • Washington Food Company
  • Market Place
  • International Market Place
  • Northwest Choice
  • Northwest Neighbors
  • Brown & Cole Catering Company
  • Coal Miner Restaurant
  • KC Foods
  • North Sound Investors 1 & 2
  • Fidalgo Bay Investors
  • BCI Leasing
  • IGA
  • B & C
  • Food 4 Less
  • Save-on-Foods
  • Cost Cutter
  • La Autentica
  • Orcas Village Store
  • North Sound Cellars

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Content Description

This collection documents the history, activities and impact of Brown & Cole, Inc., a long-time grocery store business and operation based in Bellingham, Washington.

Records are organized in seven categories (series), reflecting different types of records generated by Brown & Cole, Inc. The collection provides a rich set of resources for studying the history and growth of the company, the local communities it served, and the impact of larger socio-economic trends on grocery store and other businesses during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Researchers will find detailed information about topics including: company policies, philosophies and strategic planning; civic engagement and leadership; customer and employee experience; product sourcing and distribution; advertising and public relations; and challenges including rising costs of healthcare and competition from big box stores.

The collection and this guide include extensive contextual and historical information prepared and shared by donor Craig W. Cole.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

All documents marked "confidential" (including in Series III, IV and VI) are subject to a publication restriction until January 1, 2034. Researchers must receive written permission from the donor or individual authorized by the donor before quotation or reproduction of these materials for publication.

This collection may contain some instances of personally identifiable information (such as a person's name in conjunction with personal financial or salary information, personal address/phone/emails) and sensitive or confidential information protected under federal and/or state privacy laws and regulations. In accordance with Archives & Special Collections policy, researchers who encounter such information agree to make no note or other record of privacy-protected information or to publish, publicize or disclose such information to any other party.

Preferred Citation

Brown & Cole, Inc. Records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is organized into the following series arrangement:

  • Formation and Ownership
  • Historical Narratives
  • Corporate Board Meetings and Minutes
  • Company Policies and Philosophies
  • Advertising and Public Relations
  • Business Plans and Strategies
  • Corporate Citizenship and Industry Leadership
  • Photographs

Custodial History

Craig W. Cole and Susan G. Cole donated the Brown & Cole, Inc. Records to the Center Pacific Northwest Studies on April 12, 2023.

Processing Note

Extensive arrangement and description of this collection (including creation of Historical and Collection Content notes and inventory listings in this collection guide) was completed by the donors before transfer of the records to the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. Additional archival processing work was conducted by William Powers at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studes.

Processing Note

About Harmful Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content.

Bibliography

Heller, Ramon, 1932-. "Please the customer first" : the Brown & Cole story. 1985.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid created by CPNWS.
2024

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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