The shop, situated at 22 Prince’s Avenue, has become a household name in Benoni and beyond.
Now, this rich story will be documented in a feature documentary – capturing the shop’s history and the stories of the people who have come into contact with it, since its opening in 1947.
Benoni Discount Stores owner Clive Stillerman (59) will be the main character in the documentary, Taking Stock, which will be directed by his son, Ben Stillerman.
Ben will explore his father’s complicated relationships with his relatives, employees, customers and friends, with a universal theme.
”For 35 years the business has been with him, through marriages, children, a divorce, family feuds, social change, deaths, several recessions, and the rise and fall of Apartheid,” said Ben.
”I believe that his [Clive’s] life in business has had a profound impact on his life outside the business.
”I also believe that his business has had a much wider influence on the lives of his employees and family than he realises.
”Now, he is talking about trying to reinvigorate the business, even as his issues with guilt and depression loom.
”This film will document a complete month in the business, where I hope to learn what makes him tick, and be with him as he takes stock of his business and life, while examining his relationships with those around him, at work and at home.”
Ben, who is studying a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in film and television production, with a focus on documentary, at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, is currently in the country with a film crew for the month of June.
The five-man crew started filming on June 1 and has already received a warm reception from people who have been interviewed.
The film will form part of Ben’s thesis, but will also serve as a tribute to his father’s business and spread a universal message.
Although Ben does not understand the true impact the shop has had on his father’s life, he knows it has shaped his own life.
”The family business has been a constant element through my entire life, and it continues to have an impact on the way I view the world,” said Ben.
”Almost all the opportunities in my life have come through the business and, as such, there is a sense of tribute to it.
”I do have my own questions about the effect the business has had on my father and family, for good and bad, and this is another reason for the film itself.”
Clive is still sceptical of his son’s project for what he defined as a “boring story”, but later admitted that the theme of family and business is universal.
Ben said his father has taken a lot better to the filming than he though he would.
It should take at least a year before the film is ready to be released.
The director hopes it will be distributed to interested audiences everywhere.
Fond memories for employee
Selvanathan Moodley has worked for Benoni Discount Stores for roughly 26 years, and yet, he said, there is still a sense of family working for the business.
Moodley said Clive has happily kept him and his wife, Sarojini, at the business for many years.
”Clive has taken care of us in good times and illness,” he added.
”Always, at the end of the day, we are like family.
”I enjoy working here.
”I was off for a couple of years due to illness; I came back when Clive needed help and continued in the same spirit and maintained the relationship.”
Moodley said his hard-bargaining boss can get ratty at times, but has a big heart and holds no grudges.
The store’s history
Benoni Discount Stores opened its doors at its current location (22 Prince’s Avenue) in 1947.
The store was opened by current owner Clive Stillerman’s father, the late David Stillerman.
David and his wife, Friedel, started Benoni Stores (as it was known), as a family grocer, and both actively ran the business.
Clive remembers how his mother would work a full day at the shop, then get home to do the store’s books, cook and help with the children’s homework.
When Clive was asked when he started working at Benoni Discount Stores, he replied: ”I haven’t started working yet”.
The current owner said he has been involved in the shop since he can remember.
After matriculating, Clive attained a BCom degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, after which he opened a shop in Springs, called Stillers Discount Stores.
After his dad’s death, in the late ’80s, he took over at the Benoni Discount Stores.
Clive said his father was not an easy man to work with and there were often screaming matches in full view of customers.
”We told the customers we were having a board meeting,” said Clive.
He said people still speak fondly of his father, saying: ”He could shout hey?”
Clive jokingly said that he tells people he has taken over.
Readers share their memories on the Benoni City Times Facebook page:
Paul and Susan Brown
“Whenever we come home or have family come over to UK, we get a good supply of tea towels and dishcloths!”
Carolina Kati Choles
“My whole family, from my mom, sisters and me, and now my children, have bought just about everything that’s needed in the home from Benoni Discount Stores.”
Melissa Jones
“When I was in primary school, my gran always used to buy me something if I did well at school. I still have a coffee set she bought me from BDS in 1979. All the pieces are still intact. I used to love just walking around there and looking at all the stuff. I also have a gorgeous canteen of cutlery from them, that only gets used on occasions.”
Heila de Swardt
“Oh my goodness I LOVE this store. I have so many things in my house from this place (I live in San Francisco, California). Almost every time I visit Mom [Tina Laurens], who lives in Benoni, we are off to Benoni Discount to buy linen, silverware and other things we must have. When I got married in Los Angeles 30 years ago, I bought a silverware set with a little pearl design on the handle and, over the years, some pieces went missing. One day I was looking for some ‘South African teaspoons’ because they are quite a bit smaller that the ones here in the USA, which are almost as big as a dessert spoon. Well I could not believe my eyes; browsing through the store, I came across my silverware set sold in individual pieces!! I nearly went berserk right then and there with joy and surprise! Imagine me finding the exact same design and all the pieces of my set right there in Benoni!! They had my design for many years and I kept buying more and adding to my set over the years. I now have a full set of all the pieces for 14 and I also have about 15 small teaspoons. (My original set was for 6.) Mom also has many things in her house from Benoni Discount Stores. Please tell me that the rumor is not true that they are or will be closing.
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