There are always some great bargains to be found in Woodstock, if you know where to look! This is part 1 in a series where we share some of Woodstock’s best deals, please share your own finds in the comments!
Blank books
Blank Books was started by Stefan Blank when his book hoarding tendencies became too much for their Woodstock home, and his girlfriend gave him the age old ultimatum. Blank Books sells used and new books in fiction and non-fiction at very reasonable prices.
Here you can pick up last years’ best seller at a fraction of the price you pay at a new bookstore or satisfy your nerd tendencies with vintage and collectible books on far-ranging subjects. Since Stefan has a wide reading range, he is a great person to ask for recommendations too. You will find Blank Books in the Positive Imaging print gallery opposite the Biscuit Mill. Always open on Saturdays and spilling onto the sidewalk, you can access the book shop through the gallery on Mondays to Fridays as well.
Fish 4 Africa
Fish 4 Africa sells a great variety of fresh fish at really good prices. This place has been punted by quite a few foodies and chefs as one of Woodstocks’ best kept secrets. Here you can pick up Yellowtail for R39 per kilo in season, which is usually around Easter when all the locals make pickled fish. They also sell frozen mussels and prawns and the variety of fresh fish is the best in town. However, we mistakenly bought some fish (shortfin Mako) on the orange list here before, so remember to check first! Fish 4 Africa is on Victoria road, just round the corner from Roodebloem.
Kwaai Lappies
If a competition was held for the best store name in Woodstock, Kwaai Lappies would be a strong contender. As you can imagine they sell fabric, trim, thread, buttons and all kinds of rag-trade related oddities such as golden plastic belt buckles and elastic pre-printed with ‘Daniel Hechter’. But if you can find a use for it, there are bargains galore to be had. Currently all their fabric is only R5.95 per metre, the stock ranging from stuff only your granny would wear to some very decent curtaining and cottons. Find Kwaai Lappies on the corner of Victoria road and Ravenscraig.
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:37 am
Hi. Thanks for this info. It would help a whole lot if the addresses of these places were listed. I have never hearde of nor seen Blank Books and would love to go there.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:15 am
HI Charmaine,
Thanks for your feedback! Blank Books is situated at 368 Albert rd, opposite the Biscuit Mill (Saturday market), inside the Positive Imaging gallery.
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Hi All!
Have you been to Altona Fisheries on Victoria Road in Woodstock next to the paint store. I had grilled fish from there and it was delicious!(yum)It was really divine and they have quite a selction of grilled seafood and the prices were good too. Definately worth a try! I think it is one of Woodstocks best kept secrets. Give it a try, lets support local businesses!
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Will definitely check it out, thanks!
November 5th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I tried it as well. I loved the calamari. Apparently Altona Seafoods has been around since 1948, I read about them in the People’s Post a while back. A real portugese style fisheries. They are very popular in the community.
November 15th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
I’m looking forward to many more parts…
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:08 pm
I have to put a word of advice out there…. I love Fish 4 Africa and often shop there but would recommend dont buy any thing that you dont recognize by name as I had the unpleasant experience of being talked into buying fish on sale that turned out to be Mako shark….