Tucked in the heart of Stellenbosch Square, a once-ordinary shipping container has been transformed into something truly extraordinary – a vibrant, purpose-filled thrift store named Sara Klere.
What began as a blank 12-metre container is now a beautifully styled retail space bursting with character, colour, and compassion. And it’s more than just a store, it’s a physical embodiment of how a community can come together to build something meaningful.
Not Just a Store – A Movement in a Container
Owned and run by the Hanna Charity and Empowerment Foundation, Sara Klere is no typical second-hand shop. It’s a curated, upmarket thrift experience where every purchase feeds a purpose. All proceeds go directly into the Foundation’s initiatives, including feeding schemes, skills development, and community upliftment projects.
The store’s fashion-forward edge may draw you in, but it’s the cause behind the counter that leaves a lasting impression.
The Big Box Build: Function Meets Flair
To bring the Hanna Foundation’s dream to life, Big Box Containers stepped in to do what we do best: build bold, bespoke spaces that serve people and purpose.
The transformation of the Sara Klere container was a masterclass in modular design. The conversion includes:
- Beautifully finished flooring for a polished retail feel
- Custom-built shelving and counter space for seamless display and flow
- Private dressing rooms for that boutique experience
- A compact kitchen to support staff needs
- A reliable electrical setup to power lighting and daily operations
- And the showstopper: a head-turning exterior paint job bursting with colour, sass, and the unmistakable charm of the Sara Klere brand
What once stood as a plain steel unit is now a vibrant destination that feels anything but temporary.
Powered by Purpose – and Community Spirit
While Big Box provided the shell and expertise, the soul of this project came from the community. From donated fittings and paint to shelving, décor, and hands-on labour, countless individuals and businesses contributed what they could. This wasn’t just a container conversion. It was a collective effort to uplift a charity doing vital work, and it proves what’s possible when people believe in a cause.
Open and Ready to Welcome You
Now open at Stellenbosch Square, Sara Klere invites shoppers to rethink retail, to find treasures that do more than just look good, but do good too. Every hanger tells a story. Every sale supports a meal. And every step inside helps build a stronger, more compassionate community.
At Big Box Containers, we’re honoured to have helped turn steel into something soulful and proud to stand alongside the Hanna Foundation and the people who made this vision real.
