Highland Park, Los Angeles
Galco's Soda Pop Stop: A Liquid Library of 500 Rare Bubbles
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated
Why it’s cool
This legendary Los Angeles storefront defies corporate soft drink giants by stocking over 500 varieties of niche and international sodas, all curated by a true carbonation connoisseur.
Walking into this Highland Park landmark feels like entering a technicolor archive dedicated to the art of the bubble. While the rest of the world is dominated by a few massive beverage conglomerates, this former grocery store serves as a sanctuary for the small-batch, the regional, and the nearly forgotten.
The shelves here are a vibrant mosaic of glass bottles, representing a time when every county had its own local bottler and every town its own unique fizz. This appreciation for vintage collections is also found at The Last Bookstore.
Why It Stands Out
The sheer scale of the collection is staggering, featuring roughly different flavors that span the globe. You might find a rare import from Romania sitting alongside a obscure cherry phosphate from the American Midwest.
The inventory goes far beyond standard root beers; adventurous drinkers can sample botanical concoctions like rose water or crisp cucumber-infused sodas. At the heart of the operation is owner John F.
Nese, a man whose expertise in carbonation is likely unmatched. Nese isn't just a shopkeeper; he is a passionate advocate for the industry's history and quality.
He can explain with scientific precision why glass bottles are the superior vessel for preserving taste, or why the cane-sugar recipe of a seasonal Kosher Coca-Cola outshines the standard corn-syrup version. His presence transforms a simple shopping trip into a masterclass in flavor profiles and beverage history.
Before You Go
Located in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park, the shop is a must-visit for anyone tired of the standard vending machine options. If you find the massive selection overwhelming, don't hesitate to ask for a recommendation.
The staff is famously helpful at navigating the hundreds of labels. Visitors can also enjoy their beverages at the Old Zoo Picnic Area.
For those living outside of Southern California, the shop also maintains a digital catalog for online orders, offering limited shipping to international fans of rare fizz.
Questions worth answering
How many sodas are actually on these shelves?
We've counted roughly 500 varieties of niche and international bubbles. It's a technicolor archive that stocks everything from Romanian imports to obscure Midwestern cherry phosphates.
What's the deal with the owner?
John F. Nese runs the place and knows more about carbonation than anyone you've met. He'll explain why glass bottles are the only acceptable vessel and why cane sugar beats corn syrup every time.
What if the selection is too much to handle?
The staff is used to people staring blankly at the hundreds of labels and can help you navigate the inventory. If you aren't in Highland Park, we've noted they maintain a digital catalog for shipping rare fizz to international fans.
Is this just another corporate soda shop?
Hardly. This former grocery store is a sanctuary for small-batch and regional bottlers that the massive beverage conglomerates tried to bury.
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