Looking for the perfect present to delight the special people in your life? Come into town and shop till you drop for gifts from these unique CBD retailers.
GENERAL
The Heritage Shop
Tucked away in the Company's Garden, you'll find the whimsical Heritage Shop, a tiny gem offering a wide range of ethically sourced local gifts, from skincare products, hand-painted ceramic mugs and plates to essential oils and beautifully packaged flavoured teas and soaps.
The Company’s Garden, 19 Queen Victoria St | www.heritage.org.za
Barnet Fair
This cosy, traditional barbershop with a modern twist offers a range of services from hot towel shaves, head shaves and beard maintenance to haircuts. Spoil the man in your life with an indulgent voucher.
98 Bree St | www.barnetfair.co.za
Frank & Myrrh
There’s something about this innovative store that resembles an old-style apothecary. Its origins lie in Northern Somalia, where the current owner’s father once had a shop, and it’s stocked with a wide array of traditional essential oils, tinctures, fragrances and herbal teas.
305 Long St | www.frankandmyrrh.co.za
FASHION
Missibaba
These must-have handmade leather handbags have been thrilling visitors to the CBD since artist Chloe Townsend introduced them to Bree Street in 2012. Colourful and desirable, they are made by a local artisan and have a huge following.
229 Bree St | www.missibaba.com
Merchants on Long
Stepping into this Aladdin’s cave of treasures provides a calm respite from the hustle and bustle of Long Street. Shop to the sounds of African jazz for high-end products - from clothes and bags to jewellery - sourced from our continent.
34 Long St | www.merchantsonlong.com
Zeitgeist Apparel
The strikingly elegant look and feel of this upmarket menswear store are enough to entice you inside. From bomber jackets to crisp white shirts and knitwear, everything is designer quality. It’s where you’d expect David from the Netflix show Schitt’s Creek to shop.
167 Long St | zeitgeistmw.com
Spaghetti Mafia
An ultra-cool menswear boutique that has been around since 2005, Spaghetti Mafia sells bespoke suits and clothes by Italian designers – as its name suggests. It stocks dapper, sophisticated wear for the ultimate man-about-town.
199 Loop St | www.facebook/spaghettimafiacapetown/
Blackwood Brothers
This trendy store sells some of the most exclusive brands in men’s leisurewear brands, including Edwin Denim Co, Schott NYC, Deus, Church's and Common Projects, as well as its own range. Look out for high-quality T-shirts, caps and jackets galore.
63a Shortmarket St | www.facebook.com/blackwoodbrothersstore/
Jack Lemkus
A Cape Town institution (it’s been around since 1935), Jack Lemkus offers an impressive range of sneakers and leisurewear. Look out for all the specials (there are always some to be had) and have fun browsing the seemingly endless rows of premium footwear.
26A St Georges Mall | www.jacklemkus.com
Archive
All the top sneaker brands can be found here. There’s also a range of cool T-shirts, shorts and hoodies. Check out the new Vans X Moma collection, with sneakers featuring the works of Jackson Pollock, Lyubov Popova and Edvard Munch.
26A Shortmarket St | www.archivestore.co.za
JEWELLERY
Church Street Antique Market
Dear Rae Jewellery
Stylish and refined, this Bree Street store carries a wide range of handcrafted jewellery by designer Karin Rae Matthee. Her pieces are infinitely desirable - and there are also items for children.
164 Bree St | www.dearrae.co.za
Kirsten Goss
Sharing a store with Missibaba are the statement jewellery pieces of the inimitable jewellery designer Kirsten Goss, known for her angular and ethereal work. Did you know she even counts Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker as one of her clients?
229 Bree St | www.kirstengoss.com
Olive Green Cat
Three adventurous, distinctive jewellery brands share this retail space – Ida Elsje, Philippa Green and Nunc – so you are spoilt for choice.
76 Church St | www.philippagreen.com
Prins & Prins Diamonds
The ultimate splash-out gift can be found at Prins & Prins, jewellers who specialise in diamonds. Bespoke rings, pendants and earrings can be purchased here: there’s a reason these gemstones are a girl’s best friend.
c/o 66 Loop and Hout streets | www.prinsandprins.com
FOOD AND WINE
The Electric
It’s one of the coolest places in town for a laidback, healthy breakfast or juice but you can also buy products that will make up a healthy gift hamper. We love the flavoured oils, spices and unusual teas.
48 Canterbury St | www.the-electric.com
Nude Foods
Surprise the health freak in the family with locally sourced, organic products from Nude Foods, where you can also buy natural soaps and skincare products that will spark joy in any vegan’s heart.
5 Constitution St | www.nudefoods.co
Caroline’s Fine Wines
Wine connoisseurs rejoice at the wide range of local and international wines at this fine store. After 40 years in the business, Caroline Rillema knows her subject, and there are over 1 500 wines to choose from. Spoil the wine collector in the family!
62 Strand St | www.carolineswine.com
OpenWine
Leave your shopping at OpenWine until last, because in this comfortable environment you get to taste special South African wine before you buy it. What’s more, it’s served in the French and Italian way. Olive oil is also on sale.
72 Wale St | www.facebook.com/openwineza/
DÉCOR
Skinny laMinx in Bree Street
Mungo
The cottage vibe of this split-level store is enticing, as are the items on sale. Everything is made from quality, natural-fibre homeware textiles crafted at their mill in Plettenberg Bay. Choose from exquisite throws and blankets, table linen, towels and apparel.
78 Hout St | www.mungo.co.za
Skinny laMinx
There's a reason this bright and charming store has become an icon of Bree Street. Heather Moore’s signature fabrics (which can be purchased by the metre) have been used to create bespoke items, from cushions and aprons to bags and pencil cases.
201 Bree St | www.skinnylaminx.com
Bordallo Pinheiro
If you’re looking for something quirky, this divine ceramic store is for you. A world leader in high-end Portuguese ceramic tableware, this brand has been around since 1884. With several ranges, from natural to humorous, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Check out the watermelon fruit bowl or the famous ceramic fish.
7 Bree St | www.bordallopinheiro.co.za
Chandler House
In this charming shop-cum-gallery-cum-artist’s studio, located inside an 18th Century Cape Georgian House, every item has been carefully chosen by artist-owner Michael Chandler. On offer are a wide range of homeware and gifts, antiques, objets d’art, handwoven textiles and a selection of artworks, on display throughout the space and in the Voorkamer Gallery.
53 Church St | www.chandlerhouse.co.za
Pezula Interiors
Lovers of décor will feel right at home in this upmarket store that stocks everything from furniture and lighting to scented candles, apparel, textiles, books and games. A Walnut & Oak backgammon set could be just the thing for that impossible-to-buy-for person in your life.
17 Buiten St | www.pezulainteriors.co.za
Waza
Everything Japanese can be found at Waza, which combines retail with Japanese-themed events and workshops. Great gift ideas include original Shichirin grills (hibachi), an intriguing selection of beautifully packaged Japanese ingredients and traditional cooking utensils.
Second Floor, 111 Loop St | www.wazashop.co.za
BOOKS
The Book Lounge
What could be a better gift than a book? At the Book Lounge, you’re spoilt for choice with two floors of best-sellers and lesser-known gems for the widest of literary tastes. You can also relax in the lounge or coffee shop.
71 Roeland St | www.booklounge.co.za
Clarke's Bookshop
This legendary bookstore (it’s been around for more than 60 years) will provide the ideal gift for the historian in the family. It houses some of the best Africana tomes to be found anywhere and is the place to purchase new, second-hand and out-of-print books.
199 Long St| www.clarkesbooks.co.za
SPORT AND ADVENTURE
Just Like Papa
Visiting this store is more of an adventure than just a shopping trip. It’s an eccentric, exciting outlet that specialises in outdoor gear but offers so much more. And it’s not just for the happy campers – the artsy water bottles will make beautiful gifts for anyone.
73 Harrington St | www.justlikepapa.com
ART
YoungBlood
The Youngblood Foundation helps to support up-and-coming young artists by providing a platform for them to showcase their creations. Different works are displayed throughout the three-storey venue.
70 – 74 Bree St | www.youngblood-africa.com
WHATIFTHEWORLD
A contemporary gallery with a focus on local, this is the place to spot new talent. On display until mid-January are the works by KwaZulu-Natal artist Sthenjwa Luthuli. His exhibition, called Inkaba Yami, takes the form of painted, hand-carved wooden panels, and he is heavily influenced by the concept of the spirit world in Zulu ritual.
First floor, 16 Buiten St | www.whatiftheworld.com
StateoftheART
Here you’ll find the works of emerging and mid-career visual artists. Choose from a variety of mediums such as painting, printmaking, fine art photography and sculpture. The dedicated and knowledgeable team will even help you choose something ideal for you.
50 Buitenkant St | www.stateoftheart-gallery.com
IMAGES: Ed Suter, Bordall Pinheiro, Carmen Lorraine