Cape Town’s finest Art Nouveau building, at 34 Long Street, has been given a new lease of life, and has opened as ‘salon store’ Merchants on Long, a most wonderful showcase not only of the architecture of 114 years ago, but also of the talent of design from Africa.
Merchants on Long belongs to Hanneli Rupert jnr, and the renovation was driven by her, with input by interior designer Graham Viney. The walls have been left as rough stonework in places, being coffee stone walls made from slate taken from Table Mountain, the first stages of the building having been built between 1652 – 1700. The ceilings are original Oregon Pine timber beams.
Outside the store, a collection of vintage cars from the family collection at the Franschhoek Motor Museum lined the block in Long Street for the opening on Thursday. Two live models showed off swim and summer ware in the shop window, to the amusement and interest of shoppers passing by. 
Beautiful marine-inspired silver jewellery by Patrick Mavros, as well as the finest leather handbags under the Okapi brand name by Hanli Rupert, and Ardmore Ceramics were on display on the opening night. In general fair trade goods as well as products made from organic materials, where possible, are sold.
To accommodate the large number of guests, all of whom had been sent personalised calligraphy invitations, and were welcomed with Mumm champagne, many of the displays were removed from the floor. Other products that are stocked at Merchants on Long are Suno clothes hand-made in Kenya from designs originating from New York; Frazer Parfum soaps made by organic perfumer Tammy Frazer; The Letterpress Company, ‘purveyors of bespoke stationery’; La Lesso, who make khangas in Kenya; SAWA, making sneakers in Cameroon; LemLem clothing and accessories from Ethiopia; Sika shoes and dresses from Ghana; and Madwa contemporary craft and functional art.
Said Ms Rupert: “I wanted to create an environment that has the ability to transport you, it is meant to remind our visitors why the world’s bravest explorers and pioneers of the arts and sciences came to Africa in the first place”.
In welcoming her guests, Ms Rupert highlighted that her merchandise will inspire job creation, helping to uplift local communities whilst highlighting the best of design in Africa.
The shop has a coffee bar, serving Fairtrade coffees from different African countries, as well as home-made cake. African music adds to the ambiance. Wonderful snacks were served on beautifully styled trays.
Tourists will love the quality of the African design, art and fashion experience at Merchants on Long, compared to the flood of bead items they can find on many a street corner in Cape Town, whilst locals will also be impressed with the quality and variety of design from Africa. All shoppers at Merchants on Long will love the character of the building.
Merchants on Long, 34 Long Street. Tel (021) 422-2828. www.merchantsonlong.com. Open Monday – Friday 10h00 – 18h00, and Saturdays 10h00 – 14h00.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
