Shop till you drop! At these unique Cape Town retailers in the inner city, you’ll find the perfect present … and more.
GENERAL
THE HERITAGE SHOP
An initiative of the Cape Town Heritage Trust, this hidden gem in the Company’s Garden has a curated range of high-end, ethically produced items inspired by the Cape’s natural and cultural heritage, including skincare products, soaps and essential oils.
The Company’s Garden, 19 Queen Victoria St | www.heritage.org.za
FRANK & MYRRH
For exotic African oils and perfumes, Frank & Myrrh is the perfect destination. Among the traditional essential oils, tinctures, skincare products, fragrances and herbal teas on offer are White Nile oud, African lavender, baobab oil and raw frankincense.
9 Church St | Instagram: @frankandmyrrhafrica
HEMELHUIJS
Chef Jacques Erasmus’s iconic inner-city café, which beautifully blends local heritage with global culinary influences, also sells a stylish homeware range, De Nagmaal. Choose from handcrafted Japanese raku pottery, linen napkins, glasses and ceramic candle holders.
71 Waterkant St |www.hemelhuijs.co.za
FASHION
ARCHIVE COLLECTIVE
Exclusive sneakers and premium streetwear, including sweatshirts, jackets, hoodies, T-shirts, sweatpants and accessories, are on offer at Archive Collective. Brands include New Balance, Nike, Vans, Puma, Adidas, Reebok, Asics – and lots more.
107 Bree St | www.archivestore.co.za
CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT
If ethically produced, upmarket leather goods are on your radar, head to Cape Cobra Leathercraft, Africa’s largest exporter of luxury exotic leather goods. The emporium’s artisans blend traditional craftmanship and attention to detail with stylish contemporary design.
43 Bree St | www.capecobra.com
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Duck Duck Goose is a multi-brand store for cool independent South African fashion and lifestyle brands such as Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Wanda Lephoto, Good Good Good, Kasi Flavour, Nao Serati, The Paint Company and Mama’s Boy.
120 Bree St | www.duckduckgoosestore.com
FLOAT APPAREL
Youthful brand Float Apparel offers cool, non-mass-produced everyday-wear for men and women, designed and produced in the Mother City. The range is inspired by Cape Town’s sun and sea, travel, photography, music, culture and creativity.
137 Bree St | www.floatapparel.co.za
ALEXANDRA HÖJER AND METRO= HANDMADE
A beautifully converted historic building on cool Bree St houses the clothing store and studio of husband-and-wife design team Barry Armitage and Alexandra Höjer, whose contemporary women's and men's ranges are proudly handmade in Cape Town.
156 Bree St | www.alexandrahojer.com | www.metrohandmade.co.za
FJÄLLRÄVEN
Swedish outdoor clothing and equipment company Fjällräven strives for harmony with nature, with practical, timeless gear for men, women and kids. Take your pick of products including durable jackets, T-shirts, bags, hats, trousers, belts and travel wallets.
73 Harrington St |www.justlikepapa.com/pages/fjallraven
AFRAID OF MICE
Vintage boutique Afraid of Mice has a great selection of men’s and women’s clothing at fair prices. Look out for big brands. You might happen upon a Salvatore Ferragamo, Diane von Fürstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Mulberry, Nina Ricci or Prada creation.
99 Harrington St | Instagram: @afraidofmicect
KLûK CGDT
Renowned for luxury contemporary African fashion, award-winning fashion house KLûK CGDT has earned global acclaim for its sophisticated design, exceptional quality and bold use of colour and fabrics. Choose from three ready-to-wear collections a year or order a personalised design.
43 Bree St | www.klukcgdt.com
MERCHANTS ON LONG
This home of rich and varied African design feels a world away from the bustle of Long Street. Shop for fashion, jewellery, beauty and lifestyle products, all curated and sourced from our continent.
34 Long St | www.merchantsonlong.co.za
SHELFLIFE
Seeking authentic street style? The Shelflife flagship store features premium sneakers in a space adorned by graffiti and street art. You’ll also find cool apparel, trendy accessories and homeware – along with high-quality imported spray paints, inks, nozzles and more.
The Barracks, 50 Bree St | www.shelflife.co.za
VINTAGE WITH LOVE
Buying “gently worn”, pre-loved designer garments at Vintage with Love is a fun way to make a difference – the profits support a large network of literacy and education charities across the country.
46A Canterbury St |Instagram: @vintagewithlovesa
WOODHEADS
Iconic Woodheads is Cape Town’s premium supplier and trader of leather, materials, leatherwork tools and more, since 1867. Surprise special someone with a top-quality belt, hat or slippers.
29 Caledon St | www.woodheads.co.za
JEWELLERY
ANNA ROSHOLT JEWELLERY
Handmade in her intimate studio-showroom, jewellery designer Anna Rosholt’s miniature works of art celebrate Africa, its people, stories and animals. Choose a timeless gift from collections such as My Darling, The Divine Feminine, Tropical Safari and more.
72 Loop St | www.annarosholt.com
BLACK BETTY DESIGN
Kristin Weixelbaumer’s jewellery and piercing studio offers edgy, high-quality jewellery. The brand has an ethos of purpose-driven jewellery and uplifting and empowering women.
77 Hout St | www.blackbettydesign.com
DEAR RAE JEWELLERY
Creating handcrafted contemporary heirlooms in natural lines, Dear Rae’s jewellery collections feature solid metals only. Whether you’re looking for a ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings or wedding band, you’ll find something unique here.
164 Bree St | www.dearrae.co.za
PRINS & PRINS DIAMONDS
Luxury brand Prins & Prins, based in the restored early Cape townhouse Huguenot House, has been around for more than 40 years and is the go-to store for high-end diamond and other jewellery.
66 Loop St| www.prinsandprins.com
DIAMOND WORKS
Diamond Works specialises in quality southern African diamonds and tanzanite gemstones. Its varied selection includes the handmade I Am African collection inspired by 10 African animals.
10 Christiaan Barnard St | www.thediamondworks.co.za
PICHULIK
Well-known CBD jewellery store PICHULIK sells striking handcrafted pieces such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings, proudly created in the Mother City and characterised by the incorporation of locally produced, repurposed rope.
8 Watson St | www.pichulik.com
OLIVE GREEN CAT
This showroom and on-site design studio displays gorgeous jewellery by celebrated designers Ida Elsje and Philippa Green, giving you a variety of options to choose from.
76 Church St | www.philippagreen.com
LIFESTYLE
ALWAYS WELCOME
Always Welcome is an innovative, beautiful collective of studios featuring established and emerging southern African furniture design brands such as Ananta, Bofred, Dokter and Misses, Houtlander and Kirsten Goss Abode.
108 Shortmarket St | https://alwayswelcome.store
HEMPORIUM
For gifting with a conscience, seek out Hemporium, which offers everything from ethically produced clothing and textiles to locally manufactured skincare products, shower gels and shampoos. Many of the items are handmade in Cape Town and contribute to empowerment initiatives.
84 Harrington St | www.hemporium.co.za
INOVA CONTRACTS
This market-leading furniture and lighting consultancy provides luxury furniture, lighting and cool, edgy accessories from venerable global brands such as HAY, Pedrali, Arper, Bene, Infiniti and Walter Knoll.
76 Harrington St | www.inovacontracts.co.za
AFRICAN JACQUARD
Marrying French technique, innovative design and the best quality with African inspiration and culture is at the heart of this luxury homegrown textile brand that has earned international acclaim. The range includes throws, cushion covers, towels and table and kitchen linen.
53 Church St | www.africanjacquard.com
MUNGO
Mungo is famous for its proudly South African heirloom-quality woven goods. The shop’s distinctive range includes natural-fibre blankets, ultra-absorbent towels, beautiful kitchen clothes, scarves, and table, kitchen and bed linen.
78 Hout St | www.mungo.co.za
PEZULA INTERIORS
Ceramic pots and vases in various sizes and colours, rush mats and grass bags, natural sofas and armchairs … These are among the array of beautiful products to be found at Pezula Interiors – along with lighting, prints, books and more.
16B Buiten St | www.pezulainteriors.co.za
PLANTIFY
Calling all plant lovers! In this beautiful little shop, you’ll find everything from easy-care tabletop and low-light hanging foliage to floor-standing and extra-large indoor plants for the home, office or bathroom. Plantify is heaven for anyone with green fingers. Planters, accessories, homeware and beautiful botanical art prints complete the picture.
59 Harrington St | https://plantify.co.za
SKINNY LAMINX
Skinny laMinx’s distinctively patterned textiles and homewares are a Cape Town staple, and they’re also finding their way to stylish homes across the world. The brand’s delightful range includes tea towels and tableware, cushion covers, upholstery fabrics and made-to-order lampshades.
16A Buiten St | www.skinnylaminx.com
WAZA JAPAN STORE
If you’re seeking a rare gift, this specialist retailer and wholesaler of premium Japanese goods – inspired by the owners’ own travels to the Land of the Rising Sun – will deliver. Choose from homeware, kitchenware, tableware, garden tools and teas.
201 Bree St | www.wazashop.co.za
WINE
DORRANCE WINES
Dorrance Wines is the home of finely crafted wines in the French tradition. The winery also has a charming urban wine cellar and tasting room inside Heritage Square.
95 Hout St | www.dorrancewines.com
LIQUOR CITY
You’re spoilt for choice at this conveniently located bottle store, offering all the basics, as well as a range of upmarket wines and refined, well-aged spirits that make great gifts.
The Decks, 67 Long St | www.liquorcity.co.za
OPENWINE
With more than 200 South African wines on offer, this Cape Town enoteca (wine bar/wine collection) is a great venue for enjoying wines by the glass (or bottle) before choosing your favourite to purchase and take home.
72 Wale St |Instagram: @openwine_za
THE WINE SHOP
This boutique wine shop stocks exceptional wines, including curated monthly cases to introduce oenophiles to high-quality varietals from lesser-known cellars. The venue also puts on wine tastings, pairings and events.
199 Loop St | www.rsthewineshop.com
BOOKS
BOOK LOUNGE
This friendly independent bookstore, an institution in Cape Town’s East City, offers a wide range of books for all ages, across multiple genres.
71 Roeland St | www.booklounge.co.za
CLARKE’S BOOKSHOP
Established in 1957, Clarke’s specialises in books on Africa – and particularly southern Africa – and has a vast selection of second-hand books on every topic under the sun, as well as old maps and prints.
199 Long St | www.clarkesbooks.co.za
SPORT AND ADVENTURE
JUST LIKE PAPA
Just Like Papa has a great choice of gifts for the avid outdoor lover in your life – from braai accessories and floodlights to artisan knives and apparel.
73 Harrington St | www.justlikepapa.com
RUN
Head to RUN for all the latest road- and trail-running shoes, gear and accessories for beginners and professionals. You can even have your running gait analysed by experts.
11 Bree St | www.runstore.co.za
EAST CITY CYCLES
This trendy bike shop in the heart of the CBD sells a huge selection of mountain, gravel, road and electric bikes, as well as components and accessories. It also has a fully equipped service centre.
50 Harrington St | www.eastcitycycles.com
ROOK CYCLES
Head to Rook Cycles for a cool bicycle and advice on which ride is right for you. Options include the Rook Shift, a reliable commuter bike, and Rook Scout, great on tar and excellent on dirt.
129 Bree St | www.rookcycles.com
KEEP IT SIMPLE SURF (KISS)
An independent surf store, and the only one in the CBD, this specialist store is a surfer's haven. It has a comprehensive, cool range of surf apparel (from the best boards to all the other accoutrements you might need, including wetsuits, boardshorts, fins, hoods, split-toe boots and more) for everyone who wants to catch a wave or two. Boards can be shipped nationwide, and you can also purchase a gift voucher.
43 Shortmarket St | www.keepitsimplesurf.co.za
ART
99 LOOP GALLERY
99 Loop displays contemporary art by emerging and established South African artists. With a focus on paintings, the space hosts an ongoing exhibition programme to spark discussion and engagement.
99 Loop St | www.99loop.co.za
WHATIFTHEWORLD
WHATIFTHEWORLD’s art has a focus on South Africa, the broader African continent and the African diaspora, with contemporary pieces and installations by significant African artists.
First floor, 16 Buiten St | www.whatiftheworld.com
STATEOFTHEART
Art lovers are in for a treat at StateoftheART independent gallery, which showcases modern and contemporary art from South Africa.
50 Buitenkant St | www.stateoftheart-gallery.com
THE ARTISTS GALLERY
Stimulate the senses with vibrant, contemporary art from up-and-coming and established artists at The Artists Gallery in buzzy Bree Street. This colourful hub prides itself in “taking South African Art to the world and inviting the world to South Africa”.
34 Bree St | www.artistsgallery.co.za
YOUNGBLOOD AFRICA
The Youngblood Foundation helps to support up-and-coming young artists by providing a platform for them to showcase their works, which are displayed throughout the three-storey venue.
70-74 Bree St | www.youngblood-africa.com