Our Linden. A suburb with a heart.: Arthur Bales...another Johannesburg icon in Linden

The store has been in Linden since the mid-60's.

And although I am certain that men DO visit,

on my visit there, I was the only representative of my gender...

Comment from Carol:

"My favourite shop in Johannesburg let alone Linden...

AND I can walk there too"

This haberdashery shop specialises in dress fabric and knitting yarns.

However, there are buttons, bows and braiding galore...

Comment from Anne:

"Often potter around Arthur Bales. Reminds me of my life in Grahamstown -

Muirhead & Gowie, Simon & Barnes and Bayes Corner" ...

Cottons in the brightest colours.

I bet that some of these were not around in 1902,

when the shop first opened its doors in Braamfontein.

Comment from a local minister, Chunky:

"It is a great place David. I love it too".

Floor to ceiling material

Shelves full of ribbon...

And books...

Arthur Bales is the ideal one stop shop, with a place to sit back and relax while paging through the many sewing pattern books available or browsing around getting inspiration for your next craft project

A view from the "coffee shop"...

For me it is photographic gadgets,

but for those who frequent THIS shop,

there are sewing and knitting "must-have" goodies in abundance

Customers can peruse some of the many knitting/sewing magazines here

I wonder if these cabinets date back to 1902?

This might...

There is currently a sale on,

and there are tables full of materials at reduced prices

Don't feel like cutting your purchase?

The staff will gladly help you out.

Remember, "Measure twice, cut once"...

Right down the back of the shop is where the wool is

In many colours ...

One of my readers, Chris, comments:

"I used to visit it this shop with my mom, she used to let me choose wool for the jerseys I designed

and she knitted.

Whenever I now visit uber trendy Linden, I have a lovely trip down memory lane xxx"

and textures

The cottons are ALMOST colour coded

Time to head off to lunch...

However, before I go, some history about the shop.

Information is courtesy of the Arthur Bales web site:

Since Norman days, the Bales family name has been associated with wools and textiles in the Norfolk County in South East England. Norfolk was the wool centre of Europe for many centuries. Arthur Bales, a young immigrant from Norwich in Norfolk, carried on the family`s association by opening a drapery and outfitting store in Johannesburg.

Founded in 1902 by Arthur Bales on his return to Johannesburg after the Boer War, the shop was started as a small drapery and clothing store on the corner of De Korte and De Beer streets in Braamfontein. The business grew from strength to strength in early Johannesburg, opening another two stores, one being in La Rochelle. The flagship store moved in the early 1920`s to the corner of De Korte and Biccard streets. After the untimely death of the founder in the late 1920`s, his eldest daughter Dorothy Bales, and his late wife Mrs. Edith Bales ran the store. The second Generation, Arthur Haylock Bales, took part ownership of the store in the 1930`s after his return from Norwich after completing his apprenticeship.