Romantiques

I am a big fan of second-hand stores. It's almost like time travelling. Not only do you have access to the past, but you can own it. Many second-hand stores are places to buy stuff that people don't want any more, for less than it would cost you to buy it new. Those places are great. It is fun to rummage through mostly worthless stuff and find real gems. Then there are antique stores that look like museums that you can shop in. Of all the second-hand stores, bargain bins, and antique stores; Romantiques is by far the greatest of them all.

It started six years ago in Hermanus, when a woman wanted to open a second-hand book store. This was mostly because she needed work, and seasonal town can often provide slim pickings. When a box of antiques were found, and added to the collection; well ... things just went on from there.The store grew and grew until they had to move to their new premises. You may be asking,what sets this store aside from any other one. Well, I am so glad you asked, because I was just about to tell you.

The shop is in a house in which each room is sectioned off into genres. The outdoor shed is filled with smoking and drink memorabilia, including other manly things. Inside the house the rooms lead into different part of our past, from glassware to toys, to books, to Coca-Cola memorabilia and the sixties, Gentlemen's garments, weapons, military clothing, and a vintage clothing section (which sports a genuine leopard-skin jacket). They also sport a wide array of Nazi and World War 2 artefacts  including a German Third Reich Officer's Dove's Head sword. To summarize: it's filled with cool, and seeps winning from every pore. I know I am missing something ... oh that's right, they even have a movie theatre, and it's free. They play old classics, such as My Fair Lady. Just having the opportunity to watch the old movies in a real film cinema (no they don't just have a projector with a DVD player but the original film) is absolutely astounding.

The interesting thing is that they don't even go out of their way to get this stuff. Almost all of it they get around the Western Cape. They really only have two buyers; but many people find things, buy them, and sell them to Romantiques. One of the partners even does restorations. So you can pick up a working vintage fridge for four grand, whereas a remake would cost around twenty. They are also rather sneaky, but in a good way. Let's say someone wants to sell something awesome, but is asking a bit too much for it. If -- as they say in Pawn Stars -- "I really want this in my shop," they take it on consignment. That way they get to fill their shelves with interesting things, and not risk losing money on the piece. 

With shows like American Pickers, American Restoration, Pawn Stars and Storage Wars turning the History Channel's focus more to Reality TV; it's great to actually see some of these things in person. For that, there is no better place than Romantiques. If you come to Hermanus, or even just driving through from Cape Town to some where along the Garden Route; go there, you will absolutely love it. If you are disappointed I promise to give you a free foot rub. So either way you win, right?

You can find them at 14 Aberdeen Street, in the Hermanus CBD. If you get lost, then call them on 028 312 4226.

Military paraphernalia!

Collectables and memorabilia!

Vintage toys!

Old-fashioned cinema!

Retro clothing!

Everything you could possibly need or want!

Classics & Cobwebs

I am a sucker for antique shops. In fact second hand-stores in general have a tendency to catch my eye. It's a great way to either hold on to a part of the past, even buy it; or to look through the discarded and attribute new value. In my humble opinion, you get three types of second-hand stores:

The first would hate to be called a second-hand store with the same indignation with which a second-hand car salesmen might refer to the merchandise as "pre-owned". We all know it's second-hand my friend, you are not fooling anyone. This is the type of shop that sell Antiques, but only a few people would understand why it now costs so much more now that it is old. Unless you really understand the little secret tells that makes the pieces authentic, then the appeal may well be lost on you; and the price tag may seem a bit ridiculous no matter how pretty the pieces are.

The second kind of place is the one where you can buy a Mickey Mouse shot-glass for R3. It's the bargain-hunter's kind of place where you rummage around for the odd gem. These places you revisit every month in the hopes of striking second-hand gold. Oh, you don't believe me; you think people don't do this. Well, you are wrong -- I do this. I found a Pair of Weermags for R50; and they still had tread on the soles. These places buy in bulk and sell to the public in a more relaxed vibe. They will have the box full of R5 toys to flog to moaning children as the mother (or starving student) finds a few mismatched knives and forks.

The third is my favourite. It's more of the collectors store. It's the kind of store you walk past, glance inside and just know the stuff in there is cool. It's like it kept a log of all the cool stuff from the past, put in on shelves; donned their leather jacket, put on a pair of Aviators and just looked cool. In stores like that no one with a tweed jacket needs to explain to you why the items on display are worth something, you just know it. It's like a museum of post-awesome, with price tags. Classics & Cobwebs is one of these stores. You walk past and can't help thinking, "Go in, you know you want to." They also supply my favourite second-hand store in Hermanus, which is called 'Romantiques.' If you like epic stuff from days long gone then this place is a must.

Address: 30 Main Road, Die Oude Fabriek, Knysna
Email: classicsandcobwebs@gmail.com