Words: Tivania Moodley | Images: Supplied
Couple Stephen and Sophia Misplon, with a combined and impressive personal art collection, opened The Gallery at High Garden in Nottingham Road in September to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their work.
How did your business start?
Art has no value if it is not shared and our love for art and South Africa is what gave birth to this gallery. We wanted to make local art accessible to as many people as possible. The Gallery showcases beautiful art and stocks art supplies, gift cards, artist prints, scarves and bags.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
We wanted a quality life where we are able to give expression to our many passions. The Midlands is the absolute perfect place for this. It has an expansive, creative and welcoming energy about it.
How did you find your premises?
Estate Agents in the area, specifically Pam Golding and Meander Real Estate, were most helpful to ensure that our exact needs were met.
Why are they ideally suited to your business?
The Gallery is situated 6km from the N3 along the R103, a small but beautiful detour. This is ideal for us because our shop is at the very first shopping centre as you enter Nottingham “town”.
Who are your neighbours?
The WildFly Shop and Outfitter, Beauty Fusion and Meander Real Estate.
What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area?
Shop rental prices are incredibly affordable. The average shop rental price along the R103 is 40% cheaper than at any of the big centres.
How many people go through your store each day?
During the week, The Gallery has on average eight visitors a day and over weekends, on average 15 to 20 people.
Do you have any expansion plans?
We will in the next few months open a whiskey and tapas lounge offering a wide variety of international whiskeys along with food and chocolate pairing. We are also opening a framing store in the Meander Square to supplement the gallery and also to do immediate framing assignments for travellers who bought and would like to have their art framed.
Do you operate online as well?
We operate online through our Facebook page (The Gallery at the Highgarden) and our online store.
What’s your most popular item?
The small, affordable and easy to transport original paintings, as well as original artist printed pillows, greeting cards, laptop sleeves and bags.
The Gallery at the High Garden
073 640 7148
thehighgarden.co.za