Auction House Gordon’s Bay has relocated from Gordon’s Bay Furniture Market to its own premises at 75 Main Road in Strand, where it plans to introduce Saturday flea markets alongside its regular auctions.
Following my report on the recent closure of Alf Duncan Auctioneers, an interesting discussion unfolded in the comments. One reader speculated that Alf Duncan had simply relocated to 75 Main Road in Strand. Another quickly dispelled that speculation, explaining that the premises were in fact home to Auction House Gordon’s Bay.
Curious to establish the facts, I decided to visit the premises myself.
What I found was Auction House Gordon’s Bay settling into its new home after relocating from Gordon’s Bay Furniture Market to Strand. That visit led to a conversation with the owners about why they made the move and what they hope to build from their new premises.
A strategic move to Strand
Auction House Gordon’s Bay previously operated from Gordon’s Bay Furniture Market. The move to 75 Main Road, formerly occupied by Strand Private Academy, marks the first time the auction business has operated from its own standalone premises, while Gordon’s Bay Furniture Market continues trading from its existing location in Gordon’s Bay.
Situated on one of Strand’s busiest roads, the new premises provide significantly greater visibility as well as considerably more space for the business to expand.
The business is owned by the 40-year-old son of local businessman Gerrie Bouwer, who explained that the relocation forms part of a broader vision for the company’s future.
More than an auction house
One of the biggest advantages of the new premises is the spacious yard surrounding the building.
Rather than reserving it solely for auction activities, the owners plan to introduce regular Saturday flea markets where members of the public can hire a stall for R100 and sell directly to shoppers.
The idea is to create an affordable marketplace for local entrepreneurs, collectors, crafters and anyone looking to turn unwanted items into cash, while giving residents another reason to visit Strand’s Main Road on weekends.
It is an initiative that positions Auction House as more than simply an auctioneer. The vision is to create a place where the wider community can buy, sell and trade on a regular basis.
Keeping the process simple
The business also aims to make the auction process as straightforward as possible.
Auction House charges a 15% commission on items sold, with sellers receiving payment within three days after the auction. According to the owners, the emphasis is on transparency and prompt payment, allowing sellers to know exactly what to expect.
For those unable to transport larger items themselves, the business also offers a collection service for R500, with staff collecting goods directly from a seller’s premises before they are entered into auction.
A changing local auction landscape
The relocation also comes at an interesting time for the Helderberg.
With Alf Duncan Auctioneers recently entering voluntary liquidation, the number of established auction houses serving the region has become increasingly limited. While the timing was coincidental, Auction House now finds itself among a relatively small number of local auctioneers serving buyers and sellers across the Helderberg.
Looking to the future
The family’s vision extends beyond the business itself.
The owners say they also see long-term potential in the surrounding area, particularly with the long-planned revitalisation of the railway station precinct immediately behind the property. While those plans remain for the future, establishing the business along this transport corridor forms part of their longer-term thinking.
Walking around the property, it was easy to see the investment already being made. The fresh signage immediately catches the eye from Main Road, with work continuing to spruce up the property and give the former school building an entirely new identity.
For now, the focus is on establishing the business in Strand. If the planned flea markets take off alongside the regular auctions, Auction House Gordon’s Bay could become more than a place where goods are sold under the hammer. It has the potential to become another community marketplace, bringing buyers, sellers and small traders together in the heart of Strand.
