KZN Invest 9

Judd Campbell is hospitality visionary and gifted entrepreneur who has nimbly served his hood in spite of the lockdown

We are doing surprisingly well,” Campbell says, a man who has a knack for reading the quirks of a neighbourhood and creating the perfect community spots for coffee and restaurants. He has a light touch, a great sense of humour and finesse. These traits undoubtedly helped him respond well to the lockdown challenges.

Campbell created Corner Café; Love Coffee in Windermere Road; the petite Coffee Tree on the intersection of Cato and Alan Paton Roads; the imaginative Prep Room in Bulwer Park (using containers as a core medium); and most recently Pizza My Heart at 106 Bulwer.

All have involved learning lessons. Before lockdown, Campbell says he was run ragged operating four shops expending enormous energy and not making much money. Lockdown meant he

What’s cooking in the ’HOOD?

scaled back and now runs just two venues: Coffee Tree for morning coffee – open from 6am until 10am and harnessing the early morning trade.

“People come past, sit on the grass verge, watch the sunrise, it’s beautiful.”

Pizza My Heart – the thriving joint that was in its infancy before lockdown, has evolved to a bespoke delivery and collection operation, running seven days a week, noon until 9pm.

“We have a dedicated small staff, we don’t hold much stock, our electricity bill has gone down by two thirds. We are making more pizzas now than before, we are turning a profit, and have no guests. So we won’t automatically be going back to how it was before. We are not in a rush to run a full seated restaurant again.

“I look and feel a bit like Homer Simpson – pizza delivery has become my social life!”

Campbell says without diners, spaces can be reconfigured, sharing rent and pooling resources. He has set himself a mission to provide great food at affordable prices.

“I want it to be cheaper to buy from me than make at home. We are learning to be frugal and mindful; to grow our own food and maybe have a chicken in the yard. In the end, the planet will win. And that has to be good!” *