Cook VW Official Blog

The Encinitas Mayor and City Council members awarded Herman Cook Volkswagen a proclamation in recognition of celebrating 50 years of doing business in Encinitas. At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 28th, designee Dennis Cook, president and owner of Herman Cook Volkswagen accepted this honorary award. We are so proud to be part of this vibrant and outstanding community!

Left to Right: Deputy Mayor Tony Kranz, Collin Cook, Lauren Cook, Connor Cook, Kacey Cook, Susan Cook, Council Member Mark Muir, Dennis Cook, Council Member Tasha Boerner Horvath, Mayor Catherine Blakespear, Council Member Joe Mosca.

The proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, in 1966 Herman Cook relocated to Encinitas to begin the process of building a brand new Volkswagen dealership; and in July of 1967 the new dealership opened and began selling new and used cars, parts and servicing vehicles; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, Encinitas was just beginning to develop into the place it is today with rolling hills of sage that outnumbered businesses along Encinitas Boulevard; and over the next sixteen years, Herman Cook dedicated all of his time, energy and resources to building a dealership that would not only bear his name, but embody his impeccable character and high business morals; and
WHEREAS, in 1970 after graduating from San Diego State, Herman’s son Dennis Cook began working full time at Herman Cook Volkswagen and became a partner in the dealership; and
WHEREAS, in 1980 Herman Cook retired and sold the remaining interest in the dealership to his son Dennis Cook; and
WHEREAS, as a family owned and operated business, Herman Cook Volkswagen is committed to supporting the community in every possible way by being very involved and committed to the community, such as The Ecke Family YMCA, The Encinitas Rotary Club and multiple charity events. Dennis and his wife Susan founded and acted as co-directors of the Encinitas Rotary Cup Soccer Tournament for many years and they have supported San Diego State Athletics as a corporate sponsor; and
WHEREAS Herman Cook Volkswagen has been nationally recognized by Newsweek Magazine and the American International Automobile Dealer Association as the dealership of the year, and also awarded Business of the Year by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Herman Cook Volkswagen continues to be major sponsors of the Cardiff Kook Run, The Encinitas Turkey Trot, and both the Surfing Madonna Beach Run and Half Marathon along with the Herman Cook Memorial Junior Golf Tournament; and
WHEREAS, Connor Cook has now worked at the dealership for 12 years alongside his father Dennis and in 2016 Connor and his brother Collin became partners in the dealership creating a third generation of ownership who are actively selling 3rd and 4th generation customers new vehicles and are greatly looking forward to another 50 years of successful business and supporting the local community; and
WHEREAS, during five decades of the dealership’s development, Herman Cook Volkswagen has sought to uphold the highest moral integrity in all aspects of the automobile business and is extremely proud of its nationally renowned reputation in customer satisfaction.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Catherine S. Blakespear, Mayor of the City of Encinitas along with all Encinitas City Council Members do hereby congratulate Herman Cook Volkswagen on its 50th Anniversary in Encinitas, commend them on their years of service to the community and wish them continued success.

Click here for the history on our dealership that is now celebrating our 50th year in the auto industry.