Ok, so you think you’re groovy and you want to impress other trendy people with an innovative, funky gift or something. Have you been to The Church, then?
If you’re into buying ultra-cool items, you will not want to leave the gift shop, which was set up by the respected local design group, The President. That’s the team which has Hannerie Visser and Peet Pienaar at the helm. Remember Peet Pienaar? A one-time performance artist, now a graphic designer and co-owner of The President Design Studio. He is also the editor and publisher of Afro magazine – a Pan-African publication which offers the best of contemporary writing and culture from Africa.
The Church opened on 21 May at 12 Spin Street on Church Square – and it stocks the latest Comme des Garcons perfumes, Feiyue sneakers – and a range of T-shirts, posters, prints, magazines, books, accessories and other things which you probably won’t find anywhere else.
Manager Patrick Visser had this to say when City Views paid The Church a visit. “We have a huge variety of suppliers. We cater for a big range of people – for anybody who is looking for something interesting and different in relation to design, fashion, books, you name it.”
Apart from all the zany stock – they have a “wooden theme” at the moment, there are containers of those old trusteds – fizz pops and Wilson’s toffees for sale, as well as “the only liquorice made by a South African company”. They also sell Bos iced tea.
They even sell the words of the inimitable Fokofpoliesiekar music – a recent Facebook posting says the words have arrived and hurry while stocks last.
Take some of the book titles, for example. There’s one on The Art of Bollywood, Japanese Photobooks, Classic Cars, The Selby and The Art of French Cooking.
And, in line with the wooden theme, you can try the Wonderwood Fragrance by Comme de Garcons. The Church is the only stockist in Cape Town of these fragrances.
There’s also a range of Rowan Smith’s wooden portraits for sale – unusual items which will definitely grab attention on any wall. Also in line with the wooden theme are the Shwood sunglasses which are currently for sale at The Church.
The Church regularly gets a new, updated look and the team then curates objects which fit the theme.
The theme will change again in November. But they haven’t’ decided yet what the new one will be, says Visser.
The Church is open during the week from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1pm. Call 021 462 6092.
New kid on the shopping block
Vivara Footwear at Shop 43 Thibault Square, 1 Long Street. Tel 021 421 1196 or Email
Are you a new retailer in the CBD? Introduce yourself! Send us your details. Tell us what you do, what you sell, what your business philosophy is and what your view of working and running a business in the CBD is. Let us know. We want to tell Cape Town about you….
