Last week I wrote a story about Brixton High Street. This week’s story is about another iconic street: Melville 7th Street, my first Joburg love. The cluster of businesses in Melville Mansions, at the corner of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue, recently became one of my favorite local hangouts.

Outside the Sourcery, one of several businesses in Melville Mansions.

I’ve been meaning to blog about the Sourcery since I first visited last December during the Melville Art Mile. I finally put that plan into action this week after learning that the Sourcery incorporated Bookdealers.

The story of Bookdealers, which has been on 7th Street for decades, was unfolding in a grim, typically Melvillian way: Bookdealers’ landlord raised the rent to an unaffordable level and the shop was preparing to close. So many great Melville shops and restaurants have died this way and it’s devastating every time — especially for the street’s only bookshop.

But then the owners of Melville Mansions announced on social media that Bookdealers wasn’t disappearing into the greedy Melville landlord abyss, after all; instead, the bookshop was moving into the Sourcery. I got myself right down there to check things out.

The walls of the Sourcery are now lined with books.

An Artsy Oasis on Melville 7th Street

Melville Mansions, the now-iconic pink Art Deco building at the center of 7th Street, has a fascinating story of its own, which I’ll share in a future post. But this post focuses specifically on the Sourcery and the Resource Gallery, which sit side-by-side like artsy fraternal twins.

Siya Ralo, a.k.a. Billy Dukes, is the man responsible for the Sourcery’s delicious coffee and its hip, earthy vibe. Melville residents might remember Siya from covid-lockdown times, when his mobile coffee cart was parked in front of 27 Boxes during that 6-9 a.m. window when we were allowed out of our houses. (Ahhhhh, the covid lockdown nostalgia.) Siya now runs the Sourcery, where he sells the same great coffee along with thrifted clothes and records, Basotho hats and blankets, vintage furniture, and refurbished turntables and sound systems. (The name “Sourcery” is a nod to the shop’s sustainably sourced decor and merchandise.)

Siya works his magic at the coffee machine.

Siya’s cappuccinos are large and extremely satisfying. He also sells delicious sandwiches — I recommend the BLT.

Good music is always playing, the old-fashioned way, at the Sourcery.

Treasures for sale around the small seating area at the back of the Sourcery.

Then there are the books, of course, courtesy of Bookdealers.

Books, books, books.

If you’ve been on the hunt for a book about vintage glass toothpick holders, your search is over. (Thanks to Fiver for uncovering this gem.)

There’s a little outdoor courtyard behind the Sourcery where you can enjoy your coffee. (Photo: Fiver Löcker)

Next door to the Sourcery is the Resource Gallery, an art gallery — or, as owner Nkululeko Mabe calls it, an art space — featuring local art and more great music played the old-fashioned way.

Nkululeko painting an “Anytime is art time” sign outside the Resource Gallery.

Inside the art space. The paintings are by Casper Ntshangase.

Casper happened to be working at Resource when I visited and we had a nice chat. The paintings in the corner are by Thamsanga Mfuphi.

Paintings by Arthur Dlamini.

I really enjoyed talking to Nkululeko, who, before he became the owner/curator at the Resource Gallery, was selling plants at another shop on 7th Street. (It’s clear, from looking around the space, that this man has an eye for both art and plants.) Nkululeko was kind enough to take me to his storage room upstairs, which is full of amazing art.

Nkululeko surrounded by art.

This was a nice place to take pictures.

I’m excited for a Melville future built by people like Siya, Nkululeko, and everyone else at Melville Mansions. I’ll have more on this 7th Street corner coming soon.