Jack Lemkus: The Sneaker Store Turned Cultural Powerhouse

You might know Jack Lemkus as just a sneaker store — but behind its façade, it’s a beating heart of Cape Town’s cultural scene.

Keen on a virtual adventure of this space? Head over to my youtube channel where I take you on a tour of this space and introduce you to my friends along the way.

A History of Jack Lemkus

Founded in 1935 as a sporting goods store, Jack Lemkus was the first to bring global giants like Adidas and Nike into South Africa. The building and the business have stayed in the same family for generations, evolving with the city around it.

With the rise of streetwear and sneaker culture, Lemkus became a household name. Its central location in the city — paired with its knack for staying tapped into Cape Town’s creative pulse — has made it a hub for all things urban culture. What’s remarkable is how it manages to stay rooted in South Africa’s heritage while embracing the ever-changing digital and creative landscape.

The Exchange Building, where Lemkus lives, is worth exploring in its own right. On the ground floor, you’ll find the sneaker store and a smash burger spot; climb higher and you’ll uncover art galleries, co-working spaces, and artist residencies layered across five more floors. The building’s name feels apt — it’s a place where ideas, stories, and creative energy are constantly traded.

Cedar Coffee

Tucked between the sneaker store downstairs and the elevator to the creative spaces above is Cedar Coffee, a local roasting brand by friends Leigh Wentzel and Winston Thomas.

While South Africa’s speciality coffee scene is world-class, the pair noticed it could feel intimidating for those outside the inner circle. Cedar’s mission is simple: make excellent coffee accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.

In this little pocket of the Exchange Building, they’ve created exactly that — a welcoming stop where anyone can enjoy something exceptional.

Residency28

Upstairs, the ethos of accessibility continues. Here, my high school friend Jared Leite runs Residency28, an artist residency programme uplifting emerging Cape Town artists with the resources they need to grow their practice.

Liza: For me, this space feels special because of its strong focus on creating a sustainable environment for artists. What are you doing behind the scenes to make that possible?

Jared: The biggest thing for us is to keep the focus on artists. That means open communication, transparency around sales and contracts, and a willingness to share information to break down unwritten industry rules. Through our residency programme, we help fund projects from the ground up rather than just co-signing them and benefiting later. It’s about creating an ethical, democratic process where artists feel supported.

Liza: And on a personal level, what’s been the most rewarding part for you?

Jared: Having the freedom to take risks and explore all kinds of art — without limiting ourselves to certain mediums — is hugely rewarding. The gallery is a blank canvas, not just for artists but for me as a curator. It’s a long game: a space to experiment, test ideas, and create cultural work artists can truly own.

Residency28 also has a history of championing local fashion. For a time, the entire second floor was dedicated to showcasing emerging designers — giving them a platform before they had a permanent home. It’s part of a long-standing tradition here: supporting all forms of creativity, whether art, fashion, or street culture.

From sneakers to streetwear, from artist studios to fashion runways — Lemkus has always been more than a store. It’s a cultural anchor, a place where Cape Town’s creativity is nurtured and celebrated.

Closing Thought

Jack Lemkus and the Exchange Building show what happens when creativity is given room to experiment, collaborate, and grow. It’s not just a retail destination — it’s a living, breathing hub where Cape Town’s culture is shaped and shared every day.

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