This is not a post office.
As grannies with their mail in tow soon found out, this is your ultimate one-stop party shop. An offspring of the popular Madame Zingara, and situated in the heart of Kloof Street at the site of the old Post Office, staff often had to turn the gogos away by saying: “This is not a post office.” And just like that, the mouthful of a name stuck.
The shopkeeper, Kama Murray, says This Is Not a Post Office is “about taking the love, joy and magic of Zingara and bringing it here for people to experience and have at their own parties”.
So think Wonderland meets Charlie the Chocolate Factory meets Narnia. I sure felt like Alice being sucked into the rabbit’s hole when, upon arrival, geishas on stilts greeted me while a contortionist’s smile invited me inside.
Expect to find everything here to supply your party needs. This store is made up of various departments.
There’s Lollipop Land, with humps as hills and rivers made of gold dust.
Then the Wonky Room, an endless array of UV sunglasses and the craziest wigs. Johnny’s Room has a spunky Asian edge where ladies can find the perfect gift for their boyfriend: one of the biggest custom- made kid robots in the world.
The Love Chamber is an adults-only room where one can buy products in the Big Tease oil range as well as playful and imaginative costumes for couples.
Especially proud of his new shop, This Is Not a Post Office owner and founder of Madame Zingara Richard Griffin says: “There are loads of party shops, but we wanted to find and create a new angle on that edge. At the end of the day, we want to shop in an environment that’s fun.”
Fun is the epitome of my favourite, the Candy Room, a chic chick theme where the only entrance is a Narnia-like cupboard. Here, Strawberry Whirls are stepping stones and there’s a variety of girly gifts like bath bombs – the kind you can only find here – on display.
And let’s not forget the sweets haven, where the biggest candy canes are sure to soothe any sweet tooth.