World's most famous 'sex' shop for sale

It’s a lonely road that runs from Montagu to Oudtshoorn; wending its way through the arid Klein Karoo where valley floors of sun-bleached scrubland run to craggy mountain peaks. Route 62 may be hailed as the world’s longest wine route, but for many travellers it’s a dry and thankless drive.

That is, until a lone white building emerges from the heat haze somewhere east of Barrydale. Welcome to the world’s most unlikely (sex) shop, which has just gone on the market for a price that will make you blush. And no, not like that.

Ronnie’s Sex Shop is the Klein Karoo’s most infamous misnomer, one of the Cape’s most Instagrammable sights, and a rite-of-passage roadside stop for anyone driving Route 62.

First things first, though: spoiler alert. There is no sex shop. Never has been, likely never will be.

The story goes that back in the 1970s, Ronnie Price opened a modest farm stall to sell fresh produce. He proudly painted ‘Ronnie’s Shop’ in red paint on the white walls of the roadside cottage and left it at that. 

But his mates had other ideas, pranking him by adding the word ‘SEX’ in big red letters. We’re not sure what the local dominee had to say about it that Sunday, but curious travellers soon started pouring in. The prank stuck, the simple farm stall evolved into a bar and restaurant, and a South African icon was born.

And now, it’s for sale! If you have just shy of R18-million lying around, that is.

Listed through Rawson Property Group for R17 900 000, now’s the chance to own one of South Africa’s roadside landmarks. Aside from becoming the proud owner of the country’s most remote sex shop – sorry, I mean restaurant and bar – that chunk of change also gets you 230 hectares of land (but look, it’s the Karoo, so don’t expect lush gardens) along with water (and bragging) rights.

“Whether you’re looking to continue the legendary Ronnie’s Sex Shop legacy or develop your own vision, this prime location on Route 62 is a true investment gem,” says Cherise da Silva from Rawson Property Group on Facebook.  

While many social media watchers baulked at the price tag, locals are obviously fiercely protective of this Klein Karoo icon.

“Let us just caution any buyers out there considering this. You touch this landmark and we will destroy you,” warned one comment.

Sjoe, I think that guy needs a drink at the bar.

Because cold cokes, not sex toys or shrink-wrapped magazines, is what you’ll find when you step inside Ronnie’s Sex Shop. Indoors, the low-slung, whitewashed building is a riot of traveller graffiti, dog-eared banknotes, foreign number plates and the ceiling’s famously donated caps and bras. That, I’m sorry to say, is about as close to sexy as you’re going to get.

Out front, sun-bleached signs, a rusty tractor and battered benches frame the Klein Karoo’s big-sky views. On weekends, you’ll likely find a convoy of classic cars and Sunday bikers. Just don’t get the wrong idea when you see all that leather. They’re only here for cold beers, boerie rolls and unpretentious pub grub. It’s a pit-stop and pilgrimage all rolled into one.

Whether anyone has the cash to slap down 18-bar for an unsexy sex shop remains to be seen. But what is never in any doubt is that Ronnie’s Sex Shop is a must for any road trip through this corner of the Cape.

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