Opinion

Cafda bookshop relocating

Letter to the Editor|Published

Bradley Jones, Cafda Trading Manager

After 11 years at its current location, The Cafda Bookshop in Claremont will be closing its doors on Monday May 31 to relocate.

We shall temporarily close to get customers ready for the new Cafda Book Warehouse in Kenilworth.

We have been working on the idea to centralise our warehouse, for the last two years and there is no better time to do it than now.

The global pandemic has forced many businesses and NPOs/NGOs to relook at their operations and financial stances. We have seen many businesses and NPOs even close their doors as it was no longer feasible to keep their doors open.

Cafda has not been exempt from these challenges. Last year June, the Cafda Bookshop in Claremont faced closure as the organisation faced challenges of no income from its three stores. The three stores, which includes two Bookshops in Claremont and Sea Point and the Merchandise Store in Retreat, has been a source of income for the organisation for the last 60 years.

With the response of the community and the assistance of the managing agents of Cavendish Close, we managed to keep the Claremont bookshop afloat. Book donations have been very overwhelming and our current warehouse, which is not accessible to the public, is overflowing. We have thus decided to move the warehouse in order for the public to have access to it. The new premises is much bigger than the current Claremont store, which means that the public will have more books to choose from.

With this being said, we would like to thank the public for their continued support and generosity. Your patronage has contributed to the success of our stores and for this reason we can afford to be of better service to you. We cannot wait to be of service to you in our new premises. A huge thank you also goes out to our current landlord and Managing Agent who has been very instrumental in our success.

For more information on our relocation and opening date, please do not hesitate to contact our head office on 021 706 2050.