 |
|
|
 |
 |
Issue # 4 - Friday 14 December 2012
DEAR FACTORY SHOPPER
It's that busy time of year when we rush around trying to find the perfect Christmas gifts for our loved ones at prices that won't break our budgets, while at the same time making sure that our cupboards are stocked with good things to eat.
To help ease your stress, I decided to share with you some gift ideas – all from factory shops of course. For ease of reference, I've included the page number of where the shop's review appears in the 12th edition of The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape. |
|
|
|
|
Useful Tips
CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS
Many genuine factory shops in the industrial areas have irregular hours. In addition, shops in these areas are often closed from just before Christmas to early or mid January, so if you plan to visit at this time of year, it is advisable to phone and check first.
Where applicable, I've included December trading hours of the shops mentioned. At the time of writing some stores were undecided whether they would be open on Christmas Eve/ New Year's Eve and the majority were closing earlier on these days. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Christmas
GIFT IDEAS!
Unsure of what to give? Gift vouchers always come in handy and Kolnicks Linen (page 65) offer these at their branches. Their shops offer an extensive range of linen, duvets, curtains and more. They have extended their hours between 19 & 22 December, as follows: Wednesday 19 December until 6pm; Thursday 20 December until 8pm and Saturday 22 December until 3pm. (Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). |
No festive season table is complete without candles and The Candle Factory Shops (page 147) are the places to visit for these. They also have a good range of serviettes (including some with a Christmas theme). Their new website, www.thecandlefactoryshop.co.za, showcases their range of products.
|
There's still time to make your own gift packs and a visit to Tifgifts (page 187) is always recommended at this time of year, as you will find a multitude of affordable toiletry items that combine well to make attractive gifts. As well as toiletry items, they also provide all you need to package your gifts. They are closing 22 December and reopening 17 January 2013.
|
Talking of packaging, Merrypak (page 174) also always features highly on our list of must-visit shops, especially during the festive season. They provide all your packaging needs from boxes and paper carriers in every colour imaginable, to ribbons, wrapping papers, Christmas decorations, stationery and lots, lots more. Plus, you will also find all you need to make your own Christmas crackers.
|
For me a book is always a very welcome gift and you're sure to find one suitable for any age at the Bargain Books Factory Shop (page 59). They are closed on Christmas Day but open on Boxing Day from 9am-2pm. With over 1000 square metres of bargain books, they boast being the largest book factory shop in the country!
|
Along with gift shopping, the festive season has always been one associated with eating and is definitely the time of year when we tend to overindulge with too much good fare.
|
Filling up your freezer means that you will always have something on hand for unexpected guests and a visit to one of the Freezerland Factory Shops (page 181) makes this task a lot more affordable. Their range is too large to mention here but varies from chicken schnitzels to seafood, ready-cooked meals, puddings and lots more.
|
In my family no summertime meal is complete without ice cream and trips to one of the Gatti Ice Cream outlets (page 142) are always on the agenda. Although a luxury, their legendary cassata never fails to impress and makes a great festive treat.
|
Baking also always features highly in December and CAB Foods Factory Shops (page 39) certainly tempt one to get into the mood for baking as they have everything you need for the task and more! The premixes they sell will make life a little easier at this busy time and the edible sugar cake decorations will certainly give your Christmas cake the professional edge. Visit the Specials Page at www.factoryshops.co.za to see the specials that CAB Foods Factory Shops are offering this month.
|
And, if your garden needs to be given a sprucing up before the in-laws arrive for the holidays, a visit to Lawn Star Factory Shop (page 88) for new garden equipment could be on the cards. As well as selling heavy-duty appliances like lawnmowers, weedeaters, chain-saws, hedge trimmers etc., at good prices, they also offer sturdy, yet light, very affordable hand tools (small trowel, fork and rake). I've often bought these as gifts for gardening friends. They are closing on 21 December and reopening on 7 January 2013.
|
Once the frenetic festive season and accompanying excessive amount of time spent in the kitchen are behind us, summertime is definitely the season to relax and unwind a little. Pack a picnic basket - you can get very attractive ones at the Cape Town Society for the Blind (page 223) - and head for the country or to the beach to watch the sun set. (The Cape Town Society for the Blind closes on 21 December and reopens on 7 January 2013.) You'll need a rug to take with you (try Kolnicks Linen Factory Shop (page 65) for this) and to stave off the hunger pangs, pack your coolbag and stock up with cheese from The Cheese Store (page 174) (closes on 22 December and reopens 27 December) or Fair Cape Factory Shop (page 125) (closes 2pm, 24 December and reopens 27 December).
|
There are many, many more factory shops offering fantastic bargains in the Western Cape – the 12th edition of The A-Z of Factory Shops contains details of over 300 shops! I've personally visited the shops in the book. One point I like to make quite clear is that I have no affiliation whatsoever with any of the shops reviewed. No one has paid for their reviews, nor have my comments in the book or this newsletter been subject to anyone's approval.
|
The 12th edition of The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape is now on sale and available from leading book shops. Should you have any problems obtaining a copy please contact us at pamblack@factoryshops.co.za.
My wish for you all this Festive Season is that factory shopping will help your money stretch twice as far and that 2013 will be a wonderful year for us all, filled with many bargains!
|
|
|
|
About The Book
THE 12TH EDITION
|
Over 26 years have passed since the first edition of Pam Black's best-selling book, The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape, was published. Since then, in addition to being an invaluable guide to all those who are interested in this exciting form of shopping, the book has become synonymous with saving money.
In this thoroughly updated twelfth edition, Pam lets you in on her secrets as to where to locate quality items at bargain prices at more than 300 factory shops in the Western Cape, including many new ones. Every outlet listed has been visited personally by the author, and all her reviews are given without fear or favour.
With this comprehensive book as your guide, you will have all the information you need to locate these fascinating shops, and could even find yourself visiting areas of the Cape that you never knew existed! Be warned: this unique form of shopping is not for the faint-hearted, but for those armed with a spirit of adventure, we promise that in addition to saving money, you will have lots of fun into the bargain! |
|
About the Book Continued
READERS' COMMENTS
What readers have said about previous editions of The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape:
'Your book has saved me hundreds of rands over the years - keep up the good work!'
'I have been extremely impressed with your book and have been recommending it to all my friends, as I have picked up many bargains to date.'
'Thank you for your wonderful book. I am an avid shopper and have absolute joy in finding out that there are new shops that have opened.'
'I am now a regular shopper at most of these factory shops and find bargains galore for my family.'
And in the words of the author: 'Once you get used to buying items at half the retail price, you'll agree that paying full price is only for the uninitiated!' |
|
Factory Shop News
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
Moty's Foods (page 246) have opened two other branches. One at the Décor Centre, Jigger Avenue, The Triangle, Somerset West and one in High Street Shopping Centre, High Street, Durbanville.
The Unsgaard & Samson Packaging Factory Shop (page 143) has moved to 9 Wetton Park, off Dolphin Way, Wetton. Tel: 021 762 7981
Treehouse has closed down its factory shops in Ottery and Goodwood. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
