In the Central City, you can shop till you drop or play to your heart’s desire. If you’re looking for gifts that go beyond the expected, give the following retailers and entertainment venues a try.
SHOP: NIC HARRY
Sock-designer extraordinaire Nic Harry is focused on incredible style and amazing quality with his socks made from unbelievably soft and luxurious bamboo fibres. Go on and make someone feel especially “socksational”. The shop also sells lightweight bamboo t-shirts and super comfortable boxers. Plus, ordering online is seamless.
66 Wale St | www.nicharry.com
SHOP: SKINNY LAMINX
In 2007, Heather Moore started screen printing her patterns onto fabric, just for fun. Next thing, her hobby had become a business. For unique gifts (screen printed fabrics and homeware) made with clean pattern designs and a dose of African chic, pay Skinny laMinx a visit.
201 Bree St | www.skinnylaminx.com
SHOP: JUST LIKE PAPA
Located in the bustling East City, Just Like Papa is an urban adventurer’s dream destination. This outdoor store specialises in curated collections of premium-quality adventure products that will stand the test of time.
73 Harrington St | www.justlikepapa.com
SHOP: JACK LEMKUS
Occupying 330m² at the heart of the Central City, Jack Lemkus caters to sneaker enthusiasts and is stocked with reasonably priced quality sneakers and apparel from some of the biggest brands in the world.
26 St Georges Mall | www.jacklemkus.com
SHOP: ROOK CYCLES
Rook Cycles is all about pumping attitude back into street cycling with their good-looking bikes and accessories. What’s more, every Thursday night (weather permitting), the venue hosts free group rides around Cape Town. The meeting point is at the shop (18h30 for 19h00) and all types of bicycles are welcome, plus you get to socialise and have beers at the shop afterwards.
295 Long St | www.rookcycles.com
SHOP: ORPHAN STREET CLOTHING SHOP (OSCS)
OSCS is arguably one of the Central City’s coolest streetwear stores. It acts as the flagship location for Cape Town brands Sol-Sol and Maylee. Since its opening in November 2017, the shop has added 032c, Bloom as well as Not Seen to its highly curated selection. The shop’s interior also looks amazing – be sure to pop in.
7 Orphan St | www.orphanstreetclothingshop.com
SHOP: ADDERLEY STREET FLOWER MARKET
Brighten your day with flowers from the market nestled between the old Standard Bank building and the Golden Acre Shopping Centre on Adderley Street.
SHOP: CLARKE’S BOOKSHOP
Clarke’s Bookshop carries new, second-hand and out-of-print books on Southern Africa as well as a large selection of general second-hand books. The store has been around for about 62 years – meaning the team knows their way around books and will help you find the perfect gift.
199 Long St | www.clarkesbooks.co.za
PLAY: CAFÉ ROUX SESSIONS
If you or those close to you are passionate about local talent, treat yourself to Café Roux Sessions and enjoy listening to some of the country’s biggest as well as new up-and-coming musicians and comedians in an intimate setting. Some of the acts to look forward to this December include Arno Carstens, The Kiffness, Jesse Clegg and Acoustic Element.
74 Shortmarket St | www.caferouxsessions.co.za
PLAY: CONCERTS BY THE CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) puts on concerts throughout the year at City Hall (where the main hall has just received a luxurious revamp) and tickets to any of its shows are the perfect treat. On 20 December, you can look forward to the celebrity guest gala concert where the CPO will share the stage with Stephen Hough, whose performance has been called “the most perfect piano playing conceivable”. Also look out for details on the CPO’s traditional Viennese New Year’s concert to ring in 2019.
Darling St | www.cpo.org.za
This article was first published in the summer 2018-19 issue of City Views.
Images by Skinny Laminx, Orphan Street Clothing Shop (OSCS)