At Die Handelshuis in Simondium, traditional farm-style fittings and established gardens give the relatively new property the character of a place shaped by time. It is this sense of history and belonging that first drew Chommies founder and Chief Creative Director Nathalie Klijn to the Cape Winelands destination, now home to the brand’s newest store.
“I’ve always loved places that look as though they’re part of the landscape and Die Handelshuis has exactly that feeling,” says Nathalie. Having fallen in love with the property years before the opportunity to open a store arose, the decision was an easy one to make.
A Store Shaped by Its Surroundings
Each Chommies store has its own personality, inspired by its location and the people who visit it. The Hatfield Street store in Cape Town has a contemporary city feel, while its Oranjezicht City Farm Market space captures the energy of the market. Simondium, naturally, called for something different.
The new space embraces the quieter character of the Winelands, balancing the brand’s signature colour and creativity with a more muted approach to its interiors. The team drew inspiration from the architecture and gardens of Die Handelshuis, selecting pieces that would feel acquainted in their surroundings.
Vintage frames house historical dog paintings from the Rijksmuseum’s open collection, reimagined with hand-painted details. Furniture and fittings, chosen for their simplicity and character, were sourced largely from local and neighbouring businesses.
“We wanted to create something that respected what was already here,” Nathalie explains. “Of course, it still had to feel unmistakably Chommies, so we brought in our colour and creativity and, naturally, kept the dog in mind as our most important customer.”
A Place for Dogs and Their People
For landscape architect and Die Handelshuis property owner Danie Steenkamp, the destination was designed as a celebration of local businesses and community. Chommies felt like a natural addition, sharing the belief that spaces should bring people together.
“We wanted to create somewhere that feels like a community, and having Chommies here is a wonderful part of that,” he says.
For Chommies, the Simondium store offers an opportunity to connect with an even wider community of family dogs, farm dogs, and their people. Its physical stores have always been about more than simply making products available – they create an experience in which dogs are welcomed as customers in their own right.
From city dogs to farm dogs, Chommies has always been for every dog. At Die Handelshuis, that philosophy finds a fitting new home, one where design and a shared appreciation for man’s best friend to come together in the spirit of the Cape Winelands.
