AUTUMN GREETINGS

Living as I do in a leafy suburb, I am very aware of the changing seasons and even more so at the start of autumn when the gardens and streets get covered in layers of golden leaves and the squirrels dart about foraging for food.

Sadly the balmy weather we’re presently experiencing can’t last forever and the definite nip in the air in the early mornings and evenings is a sign that like the squirrels, we should get ready for the cooler weather ahead.

Before the cold weather sets in, it is a good time to stock up with winter clothes and factory shopping certainly offers wonderful ways to save money. The 13th edition of The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape contains information about where to find hundreds of these shops around the Peninsula and I like to think of it as the book that starts saving you money the moment you buy it! I know I’ve said it before, but I firmly believe that once you get used to buying items at half price, you’ll agree that paying full price is only for the uninitiated.
                                                                       
At this time of the year we either rush out and buy Easter eggs or get creative and make our own. Did you know that there are factory shops selling chocolates and those where you can find the ingredients to make your own? At the back of the 13th edition of The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape you will find an extensive Product Index that lists the products sold by over 300 factory shops.

Keen crafters and those wanting to add an extra touch of class to their gifts and decorations will find a visit to the Weavewell Factory Outlet in Elsies River (page 98) definitely worthwhile. They offer a fabulous selection of most attractive tapes and plain and striped petersham ribbons in a variety of stunning modern designs. Please note that most of the rolls hold between 50 and 100 metres of tape so if you do not require a large quantity it may be a good idea to share with a friend.  Please also note that the Weavewell Factory Shop is not open on Saturdays and their weekday hours have changed and are now Monday to Thursday: 8.30am - 4.30pm and Friday: 8.30-3.00.

With Easter occurring during the school holidays this year, a great way to keep your children entertained is to make some Easter decorations. A good place to find stationery items is Merrypak in N’dabeni (see page 204). They have all you need to make your own decorations as well as some gorgeous accessories like chickens, bunnies, lucky dips, marshmallow Easter eggs etc. Merrypak is open on Easter Saturday between 8.30am & 12.30pm.but closed on Good Friday and  Family Day (Easter Monday).

Factory Shopping

SPECIALS

The Bargain Books Factory Shop in Diep River (page 84) is another interesting shop to visit with your children as they have an extensive range of books on all manner of subjects. They have a special offer on at present on a range of activity books for children for only R20 each!  They will be open on Good Friday and on Easter Saturday between 9.00am & 2.00pm but will be closed on Family Day (Easter Monday).

All the Elgin Free Range Chickens Factory Store Outlets  (page 268) are offering an Easter special of mini fillets @ R 59.99 per kg. This offer is valid until Saturday 4 April 2015. All their stores are closed on Good Friday and all (except Grabouw) are open on Saturday between 9.00am & 2.00pm. The hours on Family Day (Easter Monday) vary so it is best to call the shops first.

Until Saturday 4 April, 2015, the Kolnicks Linen stores (page 89) are having a stock clearance of end of ranges and overruns at drastically reduced prices. All the linen is sold by the kilo. They have also reduced the prices of assorted types and sizes of slightly imperfect duvets. All their stores will be closed on Good Friday 3 April and Family Day (Easter Monday 6 April) and open for trading on Easter Saturday 4 April between 8.30am & 2pm.

Easter is also the time of year when fish appears on the menu in many households in Cape Town. A shop that I always highly recommend for fish products is the Breco Seafoods Factory Shop in Montague Gardens (page 190). It’s a good idea to ensure that you have a cool-bag with you when visiting this shop, because if you are in the market for fish, you are unlikely to come away empty-handed. The Breco Seafoods Factory Shop will be closed over the Easter weekend.  

If you decide to make your own pickled fish the Exotic Taste Factory Shop in Maitland (page 174) has made the preparation of this dish much easier by selling a prepared cooked onion mixture. All you have to do is cook the fish, then add the jar of ready-spiced onion mixture. This shop will be closed over the Easter weekend.

A long weekend always offers the opportunity to take time out and chill and relax and at the Ina Paarman Factory Shop in Diep River (page 87) you will find a selection of Ina’s products designed to make life easier. Please bear in mind that as this is a factory shop there is no guarantee that they will have stock of a particular range so you need to be prepared to take a bit of pot luck. This shop will be closed over the Easter weekend.

Factory Shop News

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Just in time before the chilly season sets in, Studio 21 Knitwear Factory Shop in Maitland (page 171) have lots of lovely new winter 2015 stock for ladies and gents arriving daily. They make for some leading retailers and over the next few months we can look forward to seeing some new labels in their factory shop.
They will be closed over the Easter weekend.

Factory Shop News

NEW SHOPS

Elgin Free Range Chickens Factory Store Outlets (page 268) have opened a new branch in Retreat/Tokai. The shop is opposite Builders Warehouse and their address is:

Unit 5, Block 2, South Palms Centre, 333 Main Road, Retreat/Tokai.
Tel: 076 7021830