Every great small town needs a shop that makes you lose track of time, and in Barrydale that shop is Papa Joe's Collectibles. Part antique store, part workshop, part gallery of mechanical curiosities, it's the kind of place where a five-minute browse turns into an hour of "what on earth is that?" — and you leave with a story, if not a treasure. For anyone building a Karoo Escapes route along the R62, it's a wonderfully unexpected stop.
From corporate life to collectible coolPapa Joe's Collectibles relocated to Barrydale in July 2023, and the move was as much about lifestyle as business. Owners Papa Joe and Mo swapped Cape Town for the slow rhythm of the Klein Karoo — proof, as they like to say, that "you don't choose Barrydale, Barrydale chooses you."
Papa Joe is the collector and craftsman: a multi-skilled mechanical engineer with a deep love of the unique, the historical and the wonderfully eclectic. Mo, who spent 27 years in the corporate world before this chapter, is the warm, welcoming face of the shop and the force behind its much-loved "preloved goodies" section. Together they've created somewhere that feels less like a store and more like an invitation to wander.
What you'll discover inside
Rather than the usual furniture and glassware, Papa Joe's leans into pieces with real narrative and mechanical intrigue — vintage tools, old machinery and industrial artefacts, each one chosen because it has a story to tell and, often, still works. Alongside these are Papa Joe's striking steampunk creations: bold, imaginative functional art built from salvaged parts and reborn into something entirely new.
There's also "Barrydale's Own," a curated corner devoted to the makers, growers and dreamers of the valley — a celebration of "local at its best" and the perfect place to take a genuine piece of the town home with you. Can't make it in person? Much of the collection is available through their online shop too.
Where old things are brought back to life
A big part of the magic happens behind the scenes. Papa Joe's restoration work treats each artefact with care, respecting its original patina while reviving its function, the very opposite of throwaway culture. Whether it's a family heirloom in need of revival or a commission for a one-of-a-kind steampunk piece, this is craftsmanship in the truest sense. Fittingly, the shop is also part of the Friends of the Biosphere programme, reflecting a real commitment to upcycling and sustainability.
Plan your visitYou'll find Papa Joe's Collectibles at 13 Tennant Street in Barrydale, just off Route 62.
Do note that the shop is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your treasure hunt around the rest of the week. It's worth setting aside proper time, this isn't a place to rush.
In a town that prides itself on creativity and character, Papa Joe's Collectibles fits right in. Add it to your Karoo Escapes wanderings along the R62, step inside, and let your curiosity do the rest, you never quite know what you'll find, and that's exactly the appeal.
Papa Joe's Collectibles13 Tennant Street, Barrydale
Phone: 064 752 7122 |
[email protected]Web: papajoescollectibles.co.za
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays