Reposted from the La Vida Local website where you can also check out John Bartman’s online portfolio blog.
Woodstock has seen some welcome changes thanks to the pioneering moves of the creative businessfolk behind such ventures as the Woodstock Exchange and the Old Biscuit Mill. New to the block is the Salt Circle Arcade. And my, has she blossomed!
Live Music
Fantasy rockers Myddle Earth perform Celtic music at Salt Circle Arcade
Nothing says fresh like live performances by the underground talent of Cape Town’s music scene. Specially hand-picked for Arcade on Fire – the frequent Saturday morning food, music and clothing mini-festival – are three special up-and-comers: gypsy electro-swing outfit Pravda, Celtic and fantasy rockers Myddle Earth and classical-majors-turned-DJs Lazarus & Franco. Catch them while you can…
For more information visit their Facebook page: Myddle Earth.
Home Brew
Beerguevara gives you the home brewing goods.
Ladies, mention the word ‘shopping’ to your man if you’re looking for an afternoon to yourself. Mention beer if you want company. Beerguevara is a revolutionary home brewing supply store located in the Arcade, and sells everything from supplies to the flavoursome brews themselves. Starter packs make great gifts for those looking to upturn the beerstablishment.
Food Trucks
The welcoming face of Carl, the lunchtime legend.
In a city all but void of street food culture, the mobile chaps are doing their part to provide the greatest, greasiest, most succulent fare that ever traversed a serving hatch. Philly cheese steaks and wraps, gourmet burgers by The Nob and Southern Italian by Limoncello. It’s all there.
Second-Hand Books (Blank Books)
Browser heaven
Nothing like sitting around in a bookstore paging through nostalgic, dated adventures that have had adventures of their own. Stumble upon a lost treasure – for your writer, a full-length 1980-something original Mortal Kombat graphic novel – and pocket browse around the satisfyingly cluttered shelves at your leisure with a glass of complimentary champagne.
Hand-Made Jewellery
Finely manicured mineral metallurgy by Manufactory
Watching something timeless slowly come to life is the privilege you get at Manufactory Jewellery Studio. The team of expert designers sits behind a workbench at the back of the shop painstakingly wringing, tweaking, filing and and polishing everything from driftwood to bronzed skull bones to create a completely unique and eye-grabbing style of accessory fashion.
Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Clothing
Cotton Hill fine ladies’ wear
Soft and flexible ladies’ cotton creations are the specialty of Cotton Hill, an emporium of fine dresses and accessories specializing in muted and grey colour tones. Owner Elaine is the one responsible for the occasional ice bucket of complimentary champagne and has been instrumental in helping organize the music event Arcade on Fire.
(Actual) Games
Kill some time with darts, pool, table tennis, pinball and foosball
A variety of awesome retro outdoor game tables awaits. At the time of writing, the pinball high score is 621 880 points. Also find your true love playing couples’ table tennis, pool, or finally settle the score on the foosball deck. The dartboard, too, is begging for a bulls-eye.
Take A Seat
Eco Furniture Design’s custom work
Sporting a range which includes solid blackwood tables and more contemporary bookcases, Eco Furniture Design seems bent on incorporating the sustainability of the product into the needs of the buyer, another reason to support Woodstock business. Third on the left is Living Legends, a charming, restored period furniture shop run by Brenda and Caroline, who have welcomed this writer’s efforts to initiate Arcade on Fire with open armoires. The shop lends itself gorgeously to Woodstock’s rustic atmosphere. In the words of one blogger, the gritty feel of the shops “adds to the character of Woodstock or any older area for that matter. Without them, people can just as well go to Canal Walk!”
More Furniture and Clothing
Five Legends Clothing and Living Legends
Five Legends offers classic, yet tastefully fashionable ladieswear clothing & accessories to a wide age range of women.
Living Legends Home is a purveyor of fine, upcycled furniture. The store sells a combination of lovingly restored & ‘glamourised’ pieces, as well as bespoke cabinetry that is locally manufactured & finished.
Tutu
Bespoke dancewear, active wear and swimwear. As their name suggests, they also make a lot of tutu’s and costumes for stage, film, clubs and festivals. Complete with onsite seamstress and fabrics bought from all the local mills in Cape Town.
For some more history and information on the arcade read Salt Circle Arcade.
Five Legends offers classic, yet tastefully fashionable ladieswear clothing & accessories to a wide age range of women.