Home is not a space – it’s a feeling

Writer: Hedda Mittner.

One 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!”

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 25 )