I'll never forget the first day I came across Cole's camera shop. It was during the summer of '91, and I was desperately looking for something interesting to shoot. I had driven Mongo (my trusty 4x4 pick up) to Tennyson street, just north of the Old Elitch's, where there are a handful of really cool assorted shops. While looking around the word *CAMERA* leapt at me. My curiosity aroused, an exploratory visit was in order.

While approaching, the sign became more prevalent and the rest of the name was visible.

The store while modest in size was very well stocked with top name used cameras and equipment. The front section of the store, about two thirds of the floor space, is used for the stock. The back third is a different story there's chairs, tables, an antique pop machine, a coffeepot and assorted photo magazines. It's this area that sets Cole's camera shop apart from the rest. An area for photoheads to chat, exchange ideas and those real life misadventures that photographers often have.

Though it's only a one man operation, when Don gets swamped, one of the loyal film pit residents will pop up and play salesman. Cole's camera shop is one of those magical places where time and space just seem to stand still. A shop where you are first a friend second a customer much like Floyd's barbershop in Mayberry, or Cheers in Boston. Press members have the press club or the parlour lounge, layman photographers have Cole's camera shop. And it's a good thing too because as everyone knows, we lovers of the silver image can't afford much more. My new home away from home had been discovered. My wife naturally was thrilled to death. "Oh how wonderful" my wife would say "A new place for you to hide out and play photographer! " Well when your an artist you can't please everyone (or is that anyone) such is life.

On Saturdays, the film pit is filled with the regular cronies that frequent the shop. This pit attracts an amazing array of photoheads, with varied backgrounds. There's David Deharport, a retired anthropologist and historian; Bill Brown, a DPS employee, biker dude, and semi-pro photographer; Mel Bakula, retired government employee, still life photographer extraordinaire and someone who has loads of knowledge to share. There's Ron Bruner, professional photographer. This guy actually makes a living with his camera and nothing else (I wonder what that's like????? maybe someday. *sigh*) There's also Gene Okes, president of the North jeffco Camera club and of the Colorado council of camera clubs. The list could go on and on.

Cole's love for photography started when he was a child. At seventeen the photo bug bit him and as we all know when the bug bites you stay bitten. Don's trade was bookkeeping, a trade he had trained for for many years. A trade that had gotten terribly stale and boring. Don was growing restless. With the photo bug still alive and well in his system, Don embarked on a five-year mission ...To learn as much as he possibly could about the art of photography. To go where no man has gone before, to.... Wait that's Star Trek - sorry!! Anyway, Don pursued his dream to see if he had what it takes to become a professional photographer. "I found out I didn't have either the talent, tenacity or the discipline needed to be a successful pro" stated Don adding "So, Barbara (Don's wife) and I figured there has to be another way to make a living from photography. We came up with the idea for the store. We thought Denver could use another used camera store, with a new twist; a place for photographers of all levels can feel comfortable and share ideas and just plain hang out, have some coffee, read a magazine, or share your latest shot with the film pit guys." And maybe even become a film pit guy yourself. In 1987, they found their spot at 4024 Tennyson, and that little shop was born.

As people, I personally love the heck out of Don and Barbara Cole and their little camera shop. Don always smiles when you come in even if you're selling some piece of equipment instead of buying, even if you're there just to be somewhere. There's always room in the film pit. There's an atmosphere much like the old trading post. There's always time to chew the fat with their patrons. Yeah that's it, when you come to Cole's it is like going to his home and being a guest. On the walls, Don has a small gallery of pictures taken by his friends and patrons, which really are one of the same. Don always keeps his stock in excellent condition and he always stands behind his equipment. He is his own quality control, keeping it at the level that the pro demands. His prices are fair and honest, and when he buys equipment, he buys at a respectable rate. Then there are the trades, and he carries his own charge account. One of his customers has been in constant trade deficit since 1989.

As a photohead you owe it to yourself to check this little place out. Step back in time and kick your heels up and talk some photo talk at Cole's.

I wrote this story back in 1993, since then Don and Barbara have closed shop and retired, but the memories are still there. I hope that somewhere out there, there's another little place like this. And if not maybe one of you will open a little shop like Cole's. All I know is that I miss it terribly.

If you have a story that you would like to share with us, please Email your story to me and I'll gladly publish it on my little web site here. Be on the look out for photo contest and a chat and posting board for us little guys to share some photo talk.

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