Local shops add colour to the business landscape
Naomi Roebert
In the midst of Hermanus’ burgeoning commercial development, smaller individually owned speciality shops continue to thrive, lending colour to the monochromatic landscape of big business.
Their survival has been due in no small part to the creative entrepreneurs who have continued to provide respective niche despite the homogeneity which increased commercialism often brings.
David Lowe and Colleen Thonissen, owners of eclectic music and arty goods store, Funky Vibes, are two such business owners who have retained the distinctive vibe of their shop for over nine years.
“We try to keep it unique,” says David, “and when it becomes commercial you have to evolve in to something else, so that it stays stimulating for yourself and your customers. It’s an interactive, creative process.”
Much of the shops unique appeal can be attributed to David and Colleen’s quirky individualism.
“I started out crying.” Says David, quoting his favourite Marley, Bob. “Now I’m laughing and smiling.”
David takes charge of the music division of the shop. His fascination with music started in the late 1970’s when he became involved in the anti-Apartheid, multi-racial club Scratch, in Cape Town.
Being anti-war and unwilling to fight for Apartheid government, he joined the End Conscription Campaign (ECC) in 1982, and went into exile in Zimbabwe as a protest against the defence force.
Colleen met David on Green Market Square in Cape Town in 1988, and thought he was “weird and wonderful”. They began to trade together.
Colleen moved to Hermanus in 1993 to open a shop in the historic Godfrey cottages (where La Barra is today), and David joined her a year later. Colleen combined her creative bent with David’s extensive music knowledge, also garnered through years of DJ-ing as Upsetter David at clubs and functions, to open Funky Vibes in 2002.
In addition to the myriad of speciality stores, of which Funky Vibes is one example, the Hermanus Village Art Amble, recently established by Originals art gallery owner Terry Kobus, seeks to synergise the numerous galleries in Hermanus along one route.
“Each gallery is so unique, four of them having resident artists, and the art route was created as and opportunity for like-minded people to come together and promote art in town,” says Terry.
The route, which currently consists of ten galleries, is soon to be extended by the Hermanus Tourism Bureau to include a wider range of galleries. The endurance of these creatively driven private businesses will keep visitors returning to Hermanus for years to come.
Source: Hermanus Times