The Coto de Caza General Store
The Coto de Caza General Store is a unique and charming
landmark in our community. Located off of Vista Verde
near the intersection of Coto Drive, the General Store serves the
community as a local grocery store, a deli, and a place where
residents of Coto de Caza can relax and socialize. The General
Store is in the Coto de Caza original north section, along
with the Coto de Caza equestrian center and the Coto Valley
Community Club. It is also close to the Village, the original
housing community in Coto. Many residents of the Village enjoy
the convenience and proximity of this store.
Update - Sadly, the Coto General Store is no more! Plans are to
convert the structure to newer, multi-store facility. The
original Coto de Caza General Store will be missed!
Update 2018 - George has sold the store and the following
owner has also re-sold the property. The old store building
has been completely torn down and it is now just an empty lot.
Not sure what the future will be on this lot
History
The store was originally constructed in the 1960s as a
private home for the family that owned and operated the Coto
de Caza Hunt Club and its main facility (in the old Merryhill Private School building). With the increasing number
of visitors to Coto de Caza, the family decided to convert the
home to a general grocery store to service the members
of the Hunt Club, as well as the Vic Braden Tennis Center (now
the Coto Valley Community Club).
Mahar George, owner of the
Coto General Store |
In 1988,
the store was acquired by Mahar George (known
to everyone simply as "George"). As
much a fixture in our community as his store, George
and his staff provide a friendly, sociable atmosphere
that Coto residents have appreciated since he arrived
here nearly 20 years ago.
A little
known fact is that George actually drives to work five
days a week from his family's home in Manhattan Beach,
where he originally ran a grocery and meat store. The
rustic charm and peaceful environment of Coto de Caza
attracted George to the area and compelled him to
purchase the General Store and call Coto his second
home.
Nestled on
an acre of land among newer luxury homes and sumptuous
equestrian estates, the General Store remains, as a
nostalgic reminder of Coto de Caza's past, as a
hunting club and elite tennis resort.
The General Store
will be undergoing major refurbishing. The
complex will hopefully be reborn as the "Oasis" and several
new stores will be added, including an ice cream store, dry
cleaner, and coffee shop. While much of the structure will be
rebuilt, George intends to maintain the rustic charm and
heritage of the original store. Note:
Not sure if this will be happening at this point, The
store has been torn down. Sadly, someone also stole
the signs for the general store that you see in the
top picture.
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One of the main attractions of the General Store is
the old-fashioned soda fountain and deli, where
customers can enjoy everything from sandwiches to ice
cream cones. The soda fountain is a favorite of
locals on weekends. |
More photos of the General
Store
The store's
rustic front porch serves as a social gathering place
for children and adults alike. |
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The candy
section has been a major attraction for several
generations of Coto children. |
The store
includes a good selection of grocery items -
always a great convenience for busy residents. |
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The
charming General Store - A Coto landmark. |
Related
links:
As a 20-year resident of this community, I have always enjoyed
the rustic, country atmosphere of the Coto General Store, and
I would like to thank George for allowing me to produce this
web page. If you are thinking of buying, leasing, or
relocating to Coto de Caza, CA, please give me a call.
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