K-dorp – Wild Wild Woes
We discovered the bargain hunter streets of Krugersdorp about two years ago while passing through there by mistake (don’t ask) As you know we at Represent like to share the good things in life so we thought we’d tell you all about it.
You really want to go to K-dorp if it’s offbeat second hand furniture you are after and you don’t want to be ripped off in other more establishe…
d areas (won’t mention those suburbs on this forum – but its places like Parkhurst, Melville etc) .
There are two main areas – Krugersdorp West and Luipaardsville – there’s a whole bunch off second hand furniture and pawn shops where one can really pick up a bargain and lots of Art Decor, Kitch and Antique gems… But like any dodgy place – you got to really dig through the pile to find the rough diamond.
K-dorp is a strange place – it’s almost like going back in time and turning our past on its head as you see these really poor tired looking white folk and then well off happy looking black folk… There appears to be a high level of alcohol abuse and from what some shop owners told us, drug abuse too…I guess hence the big pawn and second hand trade. There are loads of big exhaust zoomzoom noises filling the air as ‘heavies’ cruise around in their jammies… lots of eye candy for the mullet hunters…
But – this is all softened by some of the most beautiful architecture in Joburg – Check out Die Herberg Hotel, Jubilee House and the gorgeous whitewashed townhall and then just look up and around you for buildings in pristine condition from the beginning of last century!!! Many of them have the dates on the buildings. To truly go back in time – once you’re in K-dorp ask for directions to West Rand Cons – a tiny old mining village (incidently where my father grew up) just outside K-dorp which MUST BE PRESERVED and set-up as a tourist destination before the quaint buildings fall down…
For furniture shopping – the best thing to do is head to Commissioner St – in Krugersdorp West. Go all the way along it till the end and then drive back, most of the shops are on the left hand side as you drive back into K’dorp – keep em peeled for the gothic and bizare HOLLYWOOD PARTY SHOP – a draculas castle kind of shopfront. Then once you get into the city area, ask for Ockerse and Rissik st (where they cross) there’s some awesome places round there.
Disclaimer: I know some really cool people from this area and I know there are better parts to it… But we liike the real people and the real facts. Don’t take offence – but the eyes do not lie.
