There is something satisfyingly intimate about touching a
product before purchasing it. Walking on a hurry past this shop daily almost
denied me the joys of finding something of my taste and style on a very
affordable price. From the cape flats to school, I get to see the Roeland
Street from the beginning to the end. Starting in front of Parliament, with a
triggering statue of Louis Botha right up to the fire station, all I used to
focus on was getting to school and carry on with my normal day. The
geographical inequalities in Cape Town have subconsciously closed my eyes to
some aspects of this area given my economic status as one of the apartheid
legacies.
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| Corner of Harrington and Roeland Street |
The colorful big bubbled words on the window "SALE SALE SALE, LOW LOW LOW" used to have no impact in my interests but on this day they demanded my attention from afar as I approached the store situated at the corner of Harrington and Roeland Street. Perhaps I was going to be excluded by the fast rolling English tongue or the high prices accommodating the middle class or high class residents, anyway I walked in because I had a task to complete. "I love your waterfall cardigan..." said the manager of the store wearing a bright smile as I entered the shop looking around to see if I could spot her. In my mind I obviously thought of a white owner with blond silky hair who would, in my imagination stare at my face with the 'what the hack are you doing in this store?' impression. Lol! Okay maybe I was being too sarcastic with myself because like, hey the CPUT Roeland campus is here and she would obviously assume that I am a student there!
At this time it was clear that she would grant me the permission to take pictures inside and of course engage with customers and employees -and that is all I would afford- I thought. "Thank you, Ma" I said showing gratitude and for some reason I do not know, I felt loved. The fact that sellers need customers vice versa struck my mind as I was still amazed by the warm welcome that I had never experienced at any other clothing store before.
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| Pop up shop window reflecting its opposite side of Roeland and Table Mountain. |
Because of my love for the arts, I had attended a number of events in this street including book launches, debates and poetry gatherings. Believe you me, you got to look the part for art. And entering this shop for me meant no more struggles and wasting time raiding a wardrobe that eventually gives me the same outfit I initially tried...and disliked. "So, when did you open this store...?" the women did not let me finish my sentence, as friendly as she was she did not want to be the center of attention and so referred me to the two salesman who do everything from unpacking the stock to serving customers. Alright gentlemen, let us see what you have for us today. The Henning brothers, Ashuin and Edwin told me that they joined Pop up Shop when it opened on November Black Friday last year.
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| One of the cheapest dresses in the Pop up shop |
With my eyes wide open I wondered how cheap the clothes were then.
I wouldn’t know because I have subjected myself on to the central part of the
city. I here saw the future South Africa that cares less about color of one's
skin. The cheapest item on the store is R15 and on top of that I received 10
per cent discount. The area is not only fertile of history but also economic
friendly for the underprivileged like myself. While touring the street, look the part!
