COUNTRY-STYLE SHOPPING

OUR COMMUNITY’S BELOVED MUSHROOM FARM HAS MUSHROOMED – LITERALLY

Conveniently located on Kassier Road in Assagay, just off the M13, The Mushroom Farm offers something for everyone. It’s easy to spend a good couple of hours at this family-owned and run farmyard gem – even if your intention was just to pop in for fresh vegetables.

“Our family has a very long history with farming mushrooms. The centre has evolved over time and new shops have opened, but family space is at its core,” says Julie Aitken. “We have such a variety of stores – from thrifting and secondhand books to leather goods, furniture and garden pots,” she adds. “We are also one of the very few centres to have a dedicated honey shop and a mushroom farmstall.”

The farm was originally home to Chef Mushrooms. “We grew mushrooms and made compost on this site, and the original

mushroom farmstall was at the gate. During the festive season, we also used to sell Christmas trees grown at our family home, Clear Springs Farm,” says Julie. “A nursery was then added on to the farmstall – all the plants initially grown at Clear Springs Farm as well.”

The Aitken family were farmers from Zululand. However, in the late 80s Dave and Dee, along with their three sons, relocated to Hillcrest to join Dee’s father, Athol Webster, who was a mushroom farmer in the area. “The Webster family were pioneers in the commercialisation of mushroom farming in South Africa, and together with Athol, Dave and Dee grew Chef Mushrooms.”

The Mushroom Farmstall had been operating out of a tiny wooden cabin for many years. “Slowly, as we tapered off farming mushrooms, we began leasing the old mushroom-growing sheds and eventually the composting sheds to various businesses,” says Julie.

One such business, which is still thriving at the farm, is The Veggie Shop, which initially distributed vegetables to restaurants and shops. Visitors coming to buy mushrooms then started buying their fresh veggies at the farm too, and The Veggie Shop was born. “Other shops, such as Garden Decor and Peel’s Honey, then made their homes at the farm – followed by GoFresh Café. The centre literally ‘mushroomed’ and today there are a variety of shops and services on offer.”

The Mushroom Farm’s country feel and unique mix of shops sets it apart from other shopping destinations. “You can have a cup of coffee while a rooster pecks the croissant crumbs at your feet. You can do your veggie shopping and then share your carrots with a goat or bunny on your way to your car. You can pop in for beautiful fresh flowers or bread, get something framed or even try on some hand-crafted leather shoes,” says Julie – adding that her favourite thing to do is sitting on the bench with a coffee while watching the ducks enjoying their pond.

“We are lucky to have a variety of shoppers visit us. Some come regularly to do their weekly grocery shopping, while some travel from afar to specifically buy something for their garden, home, horses or pets. Others come to leisurely browse treasures and trinkets. And then some come to play in Maddison’s fabulous play area – or simply just to pat Bob the goat,” says Julie.

Hoping to expand their kid’s entertainment offering with some exciting new ideas, Julie says they have a few kids’ activities lined up for the Christmas holidays. So keep your eyes on their Facebook page! *

FOR MORE INFO www.themushroomfarm.co.za; W @themushroomfarmassagay