6 minute read
Club 10 Taverns
from Spotong Issue 25
by 3S Media
RIA STAR TAVERN
Owner: Maria Ditlare
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How did you get into the liquor trade and what challenges do you face in this industry?
I was unemployed for too long and I decided to make things happen for myself. It was in 2007 when I opened up a spaza shop. I started selling food from my spaza shop and this attracted many customers. It was my customers who convinced me to start selling beer because the other taverns and liquor stores were too far and my location was more convenient for them. I listened to them, started my tavern and haven’t looked back since! Regarding challenges in this industry, my main challenge right now is that I am running out of space for all the patrons that I serve. I wish to extend but because I am in a residential area, there is just no space.
What role has Club 10 played in the success of your business?
Club 10 has done a lot for me! They have helped me with branding and signage.
BHEKI’S TAVERN
Owner: Bheksisa Mcobokazi
Club 10 allows me to hold monthly specials that are affordable to my patrons. I am the only Club 10 tavern in my immediate area so I am able to offer my patrons the best prices that other taverns cannot compete with.
What are your top-selling liquor brands?
My patrons love their beer! They come to me for cold Black Label, Hansa, Castle Lite and I have noticed that the Hunters Gold and Savannah are becoming very popular as well.
As a tavern owner, how do you give back to your community?
The councillor in my area knows me very well so I am often called upon to help members of my community. I assist by supporting the old-age homes and the children in my community if they are in need of food, clothing or donations. We have volunteers who patrol our community every night to keep us safe and they stop by my tavern on their patrols to get a warm cup of tea or coffee.
Location: 1803 Mafora, Block B, Bloemfontein
How did you get into the liquor trade and what challenges do you face in this industry?
I ran a car wash previously and wanted to do something different. I opened my first tavern 11 years ago and am in the process of launching another tavern. I am lucky that I don’t face any challenges. This industry has been lucrative for me and my tavern is very successful.
What role has Club 10 played in the success of your business?
They have definitely played a big role in my success. I have benefited from their promotions which my patrons love. I am also able to stock a wider variety of all liquor brands and the prices are good. I have Club 10 branding everywhere in my tavern and my employees wear the Club 10 T-shirts as part of their work uniform to promote this great partnership.
What sets your tavern apart from the rest?
I stock everything so you are guaranteed to always have your favourite drink available. I have entertainment in the form of TVs for my patrons to catch up on their soapies or to watch their favourite soccer team and pool tables. My tavern also has its very own winning soccer team – Bheksisa FC – and my patrons are proud supporters of my team. I also have WiFi, which keeps everyone connected while they are having fun at Bheki’s Tavern.
Maria Ditlare, Ria Star Tavern
Bheki's Tavern
As a tavern owner, how do you give back to your community?
I am often called to assist with funerals and I open my tavern doors if anyone needs the space for prayer meetings. I also use my vehicles to transport people to the graveyard. We all have to do our bit to help each other out.
Location: Acornhoek, Ka-Sitha, Mpumalanga
TERROR'S PLACE
Owner: Moloko Seshibedi
How did you get into the liquor trade and what challenges do you face in this industry?
I always wanted to own a tavern so I made my dream come true in 2000 when I opened Terror's Place. I don’t have any challenges but what bothers me sometimes is that I am doing this all alone. My tavern is big – it is a double-storey tavern and I close late every day. I see over 100 patrons daily and over weekends, my place is overflowing. I think I have become too big and I need someone to help me to run it.
What role has Club 10 played in the success of your business?
The promotions that I am able to run on a monthly basis has made my tavern very popular. The prices don’t disappoint and I can offer patrons good value for their money by keeping my prices affordable. They also help me a lot with marketing material which I can display in my tavern.
What are your top-selling liquor brands?
I can’t really say that I have top sellers because I stock everything and I have to continuously restock all of the liquor brands. Because my tavern is so big, I sell in volume and I restock often at MassCash.
How did you get into the liquor trade and what challenges do you face in this industry?
It was my mother’s tavern. She passed on in 2014 and I left my job to run her tavern. The main challenge that I face is my high rental fees. I am currently paying R48 000 a month to rent the premises. While I understand that the tavern business is always up and down, I also have a problem with the number of taverns and shebeens in operation as well as the liquor trade rules and regulations that are forever changing. I am seriously considering selling my tavern.
ROBBIE'S PLACE
Owner: Roberto Bamze
Terror's Place
As a tavern owner, how do you give back to your community?
I buried a community member recently who didn’t have a burial society policy. The coffin, burial plot and food came to R38 000. I would do it again and again. I always do as much as I possibly can for anyone in my community because we have to share our wealth and success with those around us.
Location: 1736 Zone One, Mahwelereng, Mokopane, Limpopo
What role has Club 10 played in the success of your business?
My tavern benefits from the promotions and cheaper prices because of our partnership. Other taverns and shebeens in the area cannot compete with the same promotions and prices and people will spend their money where they will get more value.
What are your top-selling liquor brands?
The bulk of my sales come from Amstel, Heineken and Black Label. My patrons prefer to buy the quarts.
Robbies Place
As a tavern owner, how do you give back to your community?
I help everybody. I want my community members to know that they can come to me if they need assistance with anything. I open my pockets to any schoolchildren who are in need of anything, material or assistance with money issues.
