Some of the best shopping in Blouberg comes without the crowds, queues and existential crisis.
Come November, shopping season kicks off in earnest. But before you head off to the mall yet again, consider Blouberg’s smaller community shopping villages where there are a number of shops with boatloads of character.
SEASIDE VILLAGE
At Purity Flowers, unusual flowers are at the order of the day. Expect couture-style arrangements. Whether it’s for a dining table, a wedding or somebody who deserves serious floral bribery, this is where petals get dressed properly. (ph 082 0520653)
Then go and put your face in the hands of Exquisite Eyes. Its collection of frames and sunglasses reads like a roll call of brands with attitude: Oakley, Armani, Guess, Vogue, Etnia Barcelona, Main Jim, Modo, Silhouette and Ted Baker. Because sometimes the difference between looking tired and looking mysterious is simply a good pair of glasses. (ph 021 5544299)
EDEN ON THE BAY
Take a colourful detour to India at Indicrafts. Inspired by Jaipur’s famous Pink City, this exuberant home décor store is packed with hand-block-printed cottons and other beautiful things. There are quilts, cushion covers, table linen, gorgeous juttis, kimonos and cashmere scarves, alongside copper bottles, kitchenware, spice boxes, wooden bowls and decorative lanterns. Indicrafts is dangerous territory for anyone who believes they’re merely “having a look”. (ph 081 3817212)
WEST COAST VILLAGE
Crazy Daisy has mastered one of the most critical forms of retail: nostalgia you can eat. Cakes, biscuits, tarts and fudge arrive in the gloriously unpretentious style of granny’s kitchen before food became “content”. Particularly charming is that the prices have an old-fashioned feel too. (ph 087 1507339)
Bella Casa is a magnificent little rabbit hole of things you didn’t know you needed. Wool, haberdashery, funky socks, clothing, room fragrances, diffuser oils, body lotions, bath products and teddy bears. It’s part craft cupboard, part dressing room, part pamper parlour and part gift-emergency bunker. Go in for a ball of wool and emerge holding seven things while wondering how that happened. (ph 021 5543233)
SUNNINGDALE LIFESTYLE CENTRE
At Fabric Studio, high-quality fabrics reign supreme. This family-run business’s textile heritage dates back 60 years. With personalised service and impressive knowledge, the team will guide you with your choice of fabric for upholstery, curtains, blinds and motorised versions thereof, plus of course the necessary accessories. (ph 073 0999100)
EMPORIUM LIFESTYLE CENTRE
At Alpha Gram, wellness takes a contemporary turn. Its premium cannabis range includes flower, oils, edibles, gummies, concentrates and tinctures, with products aimed at everything from relaxation and calm to energy and cognitive support. Thanks to the professional advice on hand, it’s an informed experience. (ph 076 3773288)
