Chris Buchanan FOOD
Did you know that there are more than 1E500 collectors of militaria in Johannesburg alone? Now these macabre collectors and civilians alike can converge on a funky new meeting spot in Parktown North. The War Store and Vargas Caf is aimed at collectors but is also drawing the attention of rave kids, the gay community and civilians. The new military shop-cum-coffee place is a far cry from the dank and dusty collectors’ hovels of the past and the space was designed by the owner to be an attractive and easy browse. Named after the glamour pinup artist Alberto Vargas – who created the hand- painted calendar girls that became famous during World War II – the coffee shop serves popular speciality coffees as well as light meals. So for breakfast try a Colonel’s Omelette, for lunch a Navy Seals Salad, a Grenadier Crostini or Rations (sandwiches), and don’t forget about the Deserters (the shop stocks fresh cakes and muffins).
Collector and self-confessed militaria addict Alan Coleman says it was his childhood action man, complete with interchangeable uniforms who sparked off his fascination with military gear. Since then, he has travelled far and wide to source his collection of more than 130 military uniforms. It’s news to me that there are huge networks of collectors all over the world – mostly Americans and Europeans – and they all communicate via clubs, newsletters and the Internet. These international contacts alert each other to auctions or any prestigious sales of military equipment. “We collectors see these items as acquiring our own pieces of history.” A Jew, Coleman has no qualms about dabbling in Nazi gear. “We are not affiliated to any political parties or interest groups,” Coleman says. “This is about preserving military history.”
German Nazi paraphernalia is highly sought- after, Coleman says. Can you believe that an Adolf Hitler watercolour (the syphilitic madman was also a wannabe artist!) sells for about $125E000? A Victoria Cross (the highest accolade for a British soldier) will set a collector back R100E000 or more, depending on the regiment and rank of the soldier and a set of original photographs of Mussolini’s hanging go for R1E200. Even on a quiet public holiday, the shop is abuzz with collectors haggling over their wares and non-collectors studying war books, while eating their breakfast.
It’s not only collectors who buy from the store, Coleman says. Rave and grunge kids come in for their camo gear and military boots. The recent Mother City Queer Project “Army Camp” party in Pretoria had Gauteng’s gay community in the store to kit themselves out for the event! He also supplies the movie industry with uniforms and headgear and the store has an educational appeal, with all its war books and other paraphernalia. There’s even a R20 starter pack of not very valuable badges to get children interested in collecting. So, if you’re in the market for a KGB badge, US burial flag or an original Rhodesian mine detector kit, this is the place to visit. But for those without a military bent, it is still an interesting place to have a coffee and hang out. The War Store and Vargas Caf can be found on the corner of Third and Seven avenues in Parktown North. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.30am to 6pm. Tel: (011) 880E1413