Why One Of South Africa's Oldest Bookstores Is A Gem

When Basil Fogarty first opened a bookshop in a basement in Port Elizabeth back in 1940s, he had no idea that his lovingly nurtured store would become one of the oldest operating independent bookstores in South Africa. Over the years, family run Fogarty’s has firmly established itself as one of the city’s most popular bookshops, still giving the gift of tangible paper pages filled with the magic of words to happy customers every day.

In the beginning…

It’s no surprise that books run in Teresa Fogarty’s blood, given that her literature- and art-loving parents, Basil and Eleanor, once used to mingle with the likes of famous South African Expressionist artists Irma Stern and Maggie Laubser, hosting exhibitions and often trading books for paintings. Already then, in post-World War II South Africa, Fogarty’s had established itself as a mecca for art and literature lovers across Algoa Bay, forging a strong band of faithful followers who would arrive at the store to browse the quiet book-filled isles and select their favourites off the well-stocked shelves.

Although today the bookstore is no longer in its original location and has changed premises a few times over the years, Teresa Fogarty and her dedicated team still continue to stock the store with quality books that range from art, history and classics to cookery, humour and fiction.

Surviving the digital age

Teresa has owned Forgarty’s Bookshop since 1987 and has survived various trends including the current age of e-books, Kindles and other digital reading platforms. While she believes that much of the store’s continuing existence is owed to the tangible feel, look and scent of books that just can’t be matched electronically, she adds that honesty and customer satisfaction remain her top priorities.

Keeping it real

It’s the personal touches and human interaction that keeps Fogarty’s an old time favourite in Port Elizabeth and Teresa says that ordering and sourcing certain books for customers and book clubs has always been one of the tailor-made services that Fogarty’s offers. Honesty is another item on top of Teresa’s list and she maintains the simple philosophy of truth: if you pretend you know what you are talking about when in fact you don’t, then trust with a customer is lost and so is future potential business.

Onwards and upwards

Fogarty’s is now into its seventh decade of provided top-class reading material to anyone who enters through its doors, and the shop is literally packed to the rafters with just about any author you would wish to find. It makes for a fantastic couple of hours’ escape into the imaginative realm of words where you can smell ink on paper, stroke glossy paperbacks and lose yourself in the wonders of literature.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.