30 October 2019
21 25
www.thevillagenews.co.za
Home is not a space – it’s a feeling Writer Hedda Mittner
O
ne of the main attractions of the Hermanus Old Town is the many independent specialty shops that add to the charming character of the town, especially as many of them are housed in historic buildings that should be preserved at all costs. One such gem is Amulet in Broad Street (just off Mitchell Street), where owner Hélène Truter has created a vintage shop brimming with nostalgia and romance. Every nook and cranny of the shop is filled with what Hélène calls “pretty things”, everything from décor items and gifts, to linen, tableware, clothing, accessories and even skin products that are displayed on quirky shelves, tables and cupboards, while others are draped over the walls and dangle from the ceiling. “I only do pretty,” says Hélène. “This is my pretty place where people come to spoil themselves. Every item in my shop is unique and transports you to another time and place. We all need a pretty fix from time to time!” As people tend to linger in the shop, Hélène invested in an imported coffee machine and they also serve delicious coffee and cake in the coffee corner and in the tiny courtyard at the back of the shop. As all business owners in the CBD will attest to, it’s been a tough year and Hélène says the only way to survive in the current economic climate is to keep on being innovative. “During the quiet times I often load my car with goods and host pop-up shops all over the place, even in Johannesburg!” she laughs. “In South Africa we all have to be entrepreneurs. Here I am – an actor,
voice-over artist, writer, director, shop owner… you must be able to do everything!” Hélène’s positive attitude and tireless energy is nothing short of inspiring. She and her husband, Percy Pretorius, an actor and script editor, both had flourishing careers in Johannesburg when they decided in December 2010 to relocate permanently with their daughter, Jana to their holiday home in Vermont and embrace “small town living”. People still remember Hélène for her endearing role as Poppie in the SABC2 sitcom Vetkoekpaleis, but many are unaware of her writing career, which started in the early nineties when she joined the Egoli scripwriting team. She went on to become the head scriptwriter for Africa’s biggest soap, Generations, in 1997 and more recently she created the multi award-winning SABC2 drama series Swartwater (‘Black Water’). She currently stars in the KykNET series, Fynskrif ('Fine Print') and this month she also returns to our screens as a much older Poppie in the new series, Huis Lelieveld. At the time they moved to Vermont, Hélène was still employed as a director on the popular soap, Binnelanders, and she commuted regularly to Johannesburg, as she still does. “Percy and I had no intention of giving up our careers, but we also wanted to start something new in Hermanus. I have always liked pretty things and am an avid fan of car boot and garage sales. One of my favourite shops in Hermanus was Amulet, and when I told the owner that I would love to run her shop for her, she said she was actually thinking of selling – and that was it!” When the pet shop next door to Amulet closed three years ago, Hélène and Percy took over that space to enlarge their shop. “I can be quite fearless,” she says, confessing that she’s a dreamer who believes one should “go big or go home”! When they are not at home writing or commuting to Johannesburg for work, this busy couple takes turns to be at the shop (“The ladies love Percy!” says Hélène). They were recently joined by their charming daughter, Jana, a graduate of the Stellenbosch Academy of Photography and Design, whose skills are being put to good use in the shop. Apart from managing the shop and website, she has added her own textile designs, hand-illustrated cards and small lifestyle bags with quirky messages to Amulet’s varied range of merchandise. Walking through Amulet’s doors is like entering Aladdin’s cave of wonders, filled with treasures
Hélène Truter (right) with her daughter, Jana in their shop, Amulet, which means ‘lucky charm’ (gelukbringer). Every nook and cranny is filled with what Hélène calls “pretty things”, from décor items and gifts, to linen, tableware, clothing, accessories and even skin products. The latest addition to their range of products is the Poplap line of easy-wear, wrap dresses just waiting to be discovered. “Challenge the current gloom and doom out there by bringing colour back into your house,” advises Hélène. “Flowers are huge this season. Greens, purple, burnt yellow, pink… “This doesn’t mean you have to throw out your existing furniture. A few well-chosen scatter cushions can change an entire living space. Don’t be timid; celebrate your individuality with bespoke, once-off pieces that set you apart from the tribe. Velvet, one of my favourite fabrics, is making a huge comeback. Vintage, retro, call it what you will, is here to stay. It’s fun and playful. Combine vintage with modern.” Another favourite of Hélène’s is wallpaper. “But if you feel it’s too permanent a change for your home, choose a wall hanging to decorate an accent wall. I regard it as a movable work of art. Should you want to change your look, the wall hanging can simply be moved to another space, or turned into a curtain, head board, table
UNITED CHURCH HERMANUS
BEAT THE BUDGET WITH WHALE COAST MALL Local resident, Charlene Acker was overjoyed to be declared the lucky winner of the Beat the Budget Campaign run by Whale Coast Mall from 12 August to 13 September. The mall purchased grocery vouchers (valued at R12 000 each) from Checkers, Food Lover’s Market and Woolworths to make up a total of R36 000 which will be valid for a three-year period. The competition required shoppers to spend R400 or more at any Whale Coast Mall store and to submit the valid till slip, with their contact details on it, into one of six entry boxes placed throughout the mall. The winner was selected by means of a random draw which was performed by Cllr Arnie Africa from Overstrand Municipality. The handover was done on Friday 25 October in the Food Court at Whale Coast Mall. From left are Jorina Chester (Store Manager, Woolworths), Maryke Potgieter (General Manager, Whale Coast Mall), Charlene Acker (Winner) and Dino Petim (Co-owner, Food Lover’s Market). A representative from Checkers was absent when the photo was taken. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
cloth… or simply tossed over a couch. It’s one of those forever buys that won’t date.” Amulet may not stock everyday essentials, but they sell something that Hélène feels is just as essential – a feeling. “Our customers come here to spoil themselves and leave the shop with things they have fallen in love with,” she says. “When I walk into Amulet, my heart soars. That’s exactly how you should feel when you walk into your home. If not… you know where to find me.” Amulet is located at 4 Broad Street, Hermanus. Visit www.amulatlifestyle.com or call 028 313 0359.
Services 3rd November
08:30 James Gray 10:00 Ken Jackson 09:45 Lighthouse Kids in the Lighthouse & Gen-Z Youth in the Upper Room PRAYER ON THE MOUNTAIN Rotary Drive – at the main lookout point. Saturday, 2nd Nov @ 7am All welcome to join us in prayer for Hermanus, our region & country.
028 312 2717 | www.uchermanus.com Corner of Lord Roberts Road and Royal Street, HERMANUS
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