Thursday, 9 June 2011

More Hotspots

44 Stanley

This is the first thing you see when you enter through the metal doors. 

Salvation - there are no tables available on a Saturday because it's usually very full. Delicious but overpriced food


Il Giardina - I've never been but it's very popular

Add caption

Fusion of modern and old school - you'll find a lot of the decor here is like that
Vietnamese Restaurant

The bags of flour relevant to the community, authenticity trend - know where your food comes from - it's baked there at Vovotelo and they come and collect these bags of flour while you're there. It's informal and real and nice.


You desing your own sandwich - customising your product is key for today's consumer who can pick and mix anything.

I included this for two reasons - the first being the hearts on the wall - they resonate within today's consumer whose interaction with a brand needs to be caring - it's important for consumers that businesses care about them - shifting values. Secondly, notice how many old people there are out and about at these places. It's also frequented a lot by 20, 30 and 40 something trendsters - white, black and foreigners. 






This BOS tea is the new popular kid in town. It's South African and it's always making an appearance at trendy places. 


The "we care'' mentality seen here on this exit sign. There are also "'Everything is Going to Be Ok'' stickers around this area and many others in Jhb, it's a pity I couldn't get some this time. 

44 Stanley is great. Everytime you go there, you're guaranteed to find a new shop or restaurant. It is in Milpark between Parktown and Aukland Park, an area that is not residential AFDA, UJ, Milpark Hospital and, Milpark Mews, a media centre and The Refinery  (amazing upmarket penthouse apartments) and a random not so cool mall surround this closed off space (I can't explain it, you would have to see it). The mall has Pick n Pay, a video store, some random clothing stores - it mostly caters to the students who walk to the mall from UJ. 44 Stanley itself has been going for over 5 years and it was the inital relief space from malls that so many Joburgers were desperate for.  Here's what you'll find there:


  • Bean There Coffee Spot - award winning organic Kenyan and Ethiopian coffee sold in a fresh, environmentally friendly space with really friendly service - they know you by name
  • Tiaan Nagel shop
  • Lunar Shop
  • Just - South African designer emporium
  • Tin Table - a shop that sells restored or imported tin furniture - (sustainable materials)
  • A really cool old book store called L'Enfant Terrible
  • Salvation - one of Joburg's favourite eateries - fresh, local produce
  • Il Giardini - Italian Restaurant
  • Vietnamese Restaurant
  • The Room - another restaurant
  • Another new restaurant, I forget the name
  • Vovo Telo Bakery - success story from Port Elizabeth. They had one amazing bakery in PE and within 4 years, they have another in Jhb and have recently been bought by the same company that owns Steers and they are going to roll out 40 more bakeries across the country in the next few months
  • A store that sells vintage Vespas
  • A store that sells vintage furniture
  • Imagine Nation - quirky furniture and trinkets from around the world
  • Lucky Fish - beautiful local furniture and decor
  • An African curio shop
  • A toy store
  • A specialist furniture store 
  • The hair salon of award winning hair stylist Candice Wyatt
  • Dokter and Misses flagship store
  • Boat - coffee and sandwich bar
  • A huge vintage clothing store
  • Tattoo parlour
  • Office Space - many people have offices there including Dion Chang's Flux Trends
  • An Art Gallery
  • Artists and Fashion Designer studios
  • It's adjacent to The Refinery which has the same architecture and decor - really beautiful huge city apartments. 
It's quiet on Monday's and Tuesdays and usually busy on the weekend with lots of evening events and parties being hosted there. It never loses its cool because of the kind of people that go there - this is Joburg's version of "The CT City Bowl'' all in one space. 

No comments:

Post a Comment