At Agrimark Garies, time slows down just a little
"Oh, die donkie is 'n wonderlike ding!" Imagine a six-horsepower donkey cart that knows exactly how to make its way straight to the petrol pumps at Agrimark Garies. If that’s not a sign, then nothing is!
As someone once explained: “Just take the second turn into Garies, and you’ll see Agrimark’s filling station right as you drive in.” After all, it’s the only one in this Namaqualand town.
Agrimark Garies may not be the biggest store, but you can find just about anything you need. And if they don’t have it? They’ll get it for you.
That’s what the locals say—and Dirkie Willems would agree. Thirty-three years is a long time. A lifetime, really. That’s how long Dirkie has worked at Agrimark Garies. He started at the age of 21 in the store room and worked his way up, eventually becoming branch manager in 2019.
Surely it takes passion to stay in one place for so long?
“Yes,” Dirkie says, “over time you get to know your customers. You learn their quirks, you know what they’re looking for. This job is my morning and my night—it’s part of who I am.”
He even started a WhatsApp group for his customers where he shares promotions and pricing updates. “So, no, it’s not unusual at all when someone messages me at 8 p.m. asking what a bag of cement costs. And I answer them right away—that’s what service is all about!”
“We definitely have a few customers with big personalities,” he adds with a chuckle, “but after all these years, we know exactly how to work with them. Most of the time we can already predict what they’re going to ask or worry about.”
A little bit of everything—for everyone
Whether you're a local resident or just passing through town, Agrimark Garies has something for you. Need a few groceries, a tin of paint, or tools for the home or farm? How about garden seeds, pet food, or supplies for your backyard chickens? DIYers will find building materials, and if you're in a plumbing pickle, they've got you covered too.
Inside the store, five staff members are ready to lend a helping hand and some good advice.
As one loyal customer, Hans Jacobus Ohlsen from Kheis, puts it:
“If they don’t have what you need, they make a plan. Dirkie will call the local vet himself if I’ve got an issue with my sheep. Next thing I know, he’s already ordered what the vet prescribed. Now that’s real service!”
The go-to stop for farmers in the region
Farmers in the district—those raising sheep, cattle, or goats—rely on Agrimark Garies for their feed, licks, veterinary supplies, and animal remedies. Most also grow oats and lucerne for extra feed. Water tanks are in high demand too, especially now, after some much-needed rain in parts of Namaqualand. And yes, you can even refill your gas bottles here—no need to drive far.
Fencing materials, wooden posts, wire, and tools are popular with producers looking to protect their camps from predators. Out by the storeroom, two employees are ready to help load everything from feed bags and dog food to cement and construction materials.
Open 24/7, just when you need it
With the filling station and Expressmark open around the clock, Agrimark Garies is the top choice for both early risers and night owls. And don’t miss the steaming cappuccino from the automatic machine—it grinds fresh beans at the touch of a button. “Around 7 a.m., there’s already a queue for their morning cup of comfort,” Dirkie says.
When the flowers bloom, the tourists follow
Come flower season, the town fills up with visitors. People stop for coffee, gather outside the store, and chat in the sun. “It’s a good vibe here,” Dirkie smiles. “We try to make every visit a great shopping experience for our customers.”
A farmer’s perspective
Hugo Schreuder, a sheep and cattle farmer from Garies, shares his thoughts:
“I usually buy my maize, lucerne, veterinary meds, and maintenance goods for the farm from Agrimark. Oil, and the calves’ milk too. I’ve built a great relationship with the staff. Dirkie treats all his customers well and goes the extra mile for me. It’s a pleasure doing business with him.”
And when the rain does fall in this dry part of the Northern Cape—rare as that may be—spirits lift across the town. Even the donkeys line up patiently at the pumps to have their cart tyres inflated before they set off on the long road ahead.
The soil is wet. The farmers of Garies are ready to plant. Let the season begin.
