If you have ever been to the Midlands Meander near Nottingham Road, KwaZulu Natal, then you would have either been to The Ugly Duckling, heard of this quirky shop that sells just about anything, or driven past this big blue rustic building with a massive wooden elephant in the front to welcome you, on the old R103 road on your way to the Kamberg/Giant’s Castle, or if you decided to take the scenic route to Durban or Johannesburg.
Wander into The Ugly Duckling, and you are immediately greeted by the friendly staff and the sound of music jamming in the background. It doesn’t get any better than browsing through all of the unique items for sale and listening to some epic, retro upbeat classics like The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, The Beatles and many, many more.
As you immerse yourself in this fun shop you cannot help but be in awe of the vast amount and huge variety of items for sale.
The Ugly Duckling is a décor, gifting and furniture store like you have never seen before. The Ugly Duckling specializes in unique imported handicrafts from India and Indonesia, and also local crafters who supply The Ugly Duckling. You will find the most beautiful unique wooden furniture, locally made Sleeper Wood furniture, ornate mirrors, word sign boards, metal art paintings, décor bowls, handicrafts, chimes, bamboo gongs, retro antiques, unique clothing from the East, jewellery, embellished bling pens, leather wallets, antique replica gramophones (and they work!), antique replica brass nautical goods, fun wooden toys, 100% cotton throws in almost every colour, jute carpets, a massive selection of atlas globes, handmade and hand painted musical instruments that will blow that music teacher at school’s socks off, ceramic doorknobs for days, and much, much more!
Now these ceramic doorknobs are something that we need to focus on a little bit more in depth.
The Ugly Duckling has got to arguably be the shop that stocks the biggest selection of ceramic doorknobs in the country. With over 350 different designs and patterns to choose from, you are bound to find something to spruce up those kitchen cupboards, bedroom cupboards or that little dresser that you have been itching to tackle one weekend with some chalk paint.
However, let us go back 30 years and start at the beginning.
The Ugly Duckling is a family run business. In 1998, Rolfe Bettison saw the potential to open a handicraft shop in what was a dilapidated building in Rosetta that was trading as a community trading store, post office and scrap yard. With the help of his wife, Susan, together they started working on creating the Ugly Duckling in Rosetta that opened its doors in September 1998.
What started out as one shop in Rosetta on the Midlands Meander, KwaZulu Natal has expanded to more branches which are scattered across our beautiful Country. All of The Ugly Duckling Shops are situated in tranquil, lifestyle areas away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
You can now find The Ugly Duckling in tourist destinations like Parys – Free State, Clarens – Free State, Central Drakensberg – Opposite Champagne Sports Resort, 2 branches in Hartbeespoort by Chameleon Village and one opposite The Snake Park, and 3 branches in the beautiful Midlands Meander at Rosetta, The Junction – Nottingham Road, and Balgowan – Opposite Granny Mouse.
There is something for everyone so we invite you to waddle on out to any of The Ugly Duckling Stores to be amazed. It really lives up to its slogan, “The Fun Shop That’s Worth a Stop”.
News supplied by The Ugly Duckling.