Its quite difficult to not view The Carlton Centre within the context of what it once was. This mall was undoubtedly the mall of Joburg. And if you step back and look at how well the city was actually layed out, you begin to see how all this possible. Its at the base of the tallest building in Africa, of which for a small fee can take you up to the viewing deck – every big city must have a skyscraper viewing deck!
Today, its a little bit of juicy secret. Its normal and clean, filled with all the normal shops, sans a couple of real gems like Levi Factory Stores, and countless shoe stores selling amazingly cheap awesomeness.
You then have the Smal Street Mall which is effectively an alley way of shops, that disects the city centre like a zigzagged crack on your windsheild. It passes through The Carlton Centre. And then surrounding it are all other mighty hey day buildings like the Carlton Hotel which has my parents speak of The Top of The Carlton as once being the fanciest spots this side of the mine dumps. Then there was The Carlton Skyrink which brought the kind of joy one can only get from ice skating in circles.
The Hotel and the Skyrink lie dormant. But in true Jobusy fashion, its just a matter of time before someone goes “hang on, this sky rink will be the sickest venue for a party!” Enter Red Bull’s Soundclash where Tumi and The Volume were on one side of the rink, and The Dirty Skirts on the other side, and there was a microphone hanging in the centre, measuring the decibels.
For those in the know, City Outfitters holds an almost legendary status. Its only place in the city you can get your hands on authentic vintage Converse and Vans. And by vintage, we’re referring to the ever-iconic ‘Made in the USA’ label. Seeing that the shoe-making industry was moving east in the ’70s, owner and local hero Mohammed Dajee bought up as much of the stock as he could.
Today, locals and celebrities travel from far and wide to the little store in what is now Jeppetown, although it’s quickly becoming part of the newly-established Maboneng Precinct.
D.O.P.E store is the very reason a site like Jobusy exists. We’re not telling you what to do, or where all the cool places are. Often, we’re simply telling you, ‘you just need to know this exists!’ You need to know D.O.P.E store exists!
Just off Gandhi Square in the old part of the CBD, they sell all the right local and international brands from Zulu Boy to Puma, Love Jozi to Nike. In fact they are one of only 30 stockists in the world to stock the new Nike soccer SA range AND only one of two stockists worldwide to stock Love Jozi’s latest TjoTjoTjo tee. Now that’s impressive.
So instead of showing you some cool angle from inside the store, we thought it best, in true Jobusy stye, to present the kind of people that make this store tick. Andile Scotch Cele and his t-shirt and sneaker people are open for business. These might very well some of the coolest people in the city. And their style and events are enough to have shouting out ‘you might just be the dumbest f&%K if you believe Johannesburg centre city ain’t alive!’
Find them at 30 Loveday St, entrance on Fox St, nearby the Rand Club.
I’m sure I don’t need to go on about how cool Nike is. Everybody knows we’re dealing with probably one of the coolest brands since the modern civilization started giving a name to products. This my friends: is not a store, its a gallery. The concept was developed by local brand activation agency, Trigger, and it has been so successful that Nike will be rolling out similar galleries around the world. Go Team!
The Gallery on 4th can be found at the bottom of 7th Ave Melville, left into 4th just after Cafe Mexicho.
011 726 6710. Tuesday to Saturday 2:00pm to 10:00pm. Sunday 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Arts on Main is one of the slowly emerging smaller success stories of the new and improved Johannesburg City. Its an old warehouse from the 1900’s thats been renovated to become artists studios, a restaurant, deli’s and even an open air cinema in the summer time. It certainly is a space to watch, and know how to find. The moment world renown artist William Kentridge signed his lease there, the place took off.
In the heart of 44 Stanley Ave in Milpark, this great store quietly sits in the corner. Its as if the store is that pretty girl in school you might not have noticed at first, but you all of a sudden realise how beautiful she is, and then go on to absolutely love her as a person. They make a lot of cool designer stuff, from plastic jewelry to cardboard handbags, but all done on a high end. Worth your time, and your love! They’ve since become involved in Braamfontein gallery CO – OP.
Munks Concept Stores is a great example of the new independent apparel stores to have cropped up in Johannesburg. Right now, its one of the only clothing stores in Melville, an area largely comprising of cocktail bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and craft stores. Munks has a great selection of brands and accessories, and is totally worth a visit.
In any “normal” city, the development of Melrose Arch might have been on any random city square. The streets would belong to the people, and they would pass through as they please. But since Johannesburg isn’t that normal, we have to understand the interesting context in which Melrose Arch sits. It all private property, so the interlinking roads are not public property. Its effectively a little self enclosed little city block. But, most importantly, its not trying to look like a tuscan village, so that redeems itself almost completely. It keeps expanding, so the formula is working. My little dream is that it one day lets exterior guards down and emerges more as a party of the city, as opposed a little city within a city. Check out the Mediterranean Market on saturdays.
Inside the development are some quality restaurants and bars that deserve to be taken seriously.
Ritual Stores has been there from the beginning. Long before the cool kids came to Newtown. The store has all the fashion apparel you could ask for, with this great authentic street and urban wear vibe. In the back is a recording studio booth, and in the front as you enter is a wall of vinyls for sale. So the feeling is legit and encouraging as you see them doing well as a store.
111 Bree Street. Cnr Bree and Henry Nxumalo. Newtown.
The idea is simple. In order to truly love something, you first have to understand it. Johannesburg is no different in this regard.
Connect with the real city through those who live and play here. The result? A catalogue of Johannesburg like no other.
