Our Next Chapter
A Story of Books and Belonging
It all started with a conversation. A random, “only sometimes” chat between us, Jen and Ant, about a different kind of life. One filled with starry skies, quiet outdoors, and perhaps a journey through the Karoo. We didn’t know it then, but our next great adventure wasn’t in a field of veld flowers—it was waiting to be discovered through a simple Google search: The Hemingways Bookshop Opportunity.
That discovery changed everything.
The Leap of Faith
In what felt like a whirlwind, we packed an overnight bag and drove to a town we’d never visited. We were going to Hermanus to get a feel for a new destination, and a new life. As Ant recalls, “It Was All A Rush!”
We walked up and down the aisles of a shop filled with more than mere books. It was a repository of history, classics, nostalgia, and countless stories. We saw the inimitable Africana collection, with titles on the Boer War, Jan Smuts, and Deneys Reitz. We saw books on trains and planes, beloved children’s classics, and nods to so many questions and challenges. It was a Waterloo moment, a vernacular tongue-tipple test, an unopened chapter in our own lives that we knew we had to start reading.
So we packed more than an overnight bag, said goodbye to our dear friends in White River, and drove Capewards.
The Shop Today
Hemingways is the result of that leap of faith. It remains a place for explorers and treasure-seekers. We are the proud custodians of its legacy, curating a collection that reflects our passion for history, literature, and the unique tales that only second-hand books can tell.
Whether you’re searching for a rare piece of Africana, a childhood classic, or simply wish to get lost for an hour, our shelves are waiting for you.
The most wonderful and unexpected part of this journey has been the people. We’ve been welcomed into the heart of this special, caring community in a way we never could have imagined. Hermanus continues to surprise us with its warmth, from the friendly faces of our neighbours to the customers who pop in just to say, “I’m just coming here to say hello! To welcome you to Hermanus!”
This bookshop is our story, but it is also a part of this town’s story. We are incredibly grateful to be its current caretakers.
