7 minute read
Tavern Reviews: At your Service
from Spotong Issue 27
by 3S Media
TAVERN REVIEWS
AT YOUR SERVICE Spotong chats to leading liquor traders
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Lawrence and Lindi Ntimbani
How did you get into the tavern trade? I started in 2008 without any papers and I remember the police closed my business twice while I was operating illegally. Shortly after that, I got my tavern license and things grew from there. PHAMBKWENDLU INN Owner: Lawrence Ntimbani | Organisation: NTHAWhat challenges do you face in this industry? My main challenge is the lack of safety in our trade. A few months ago, a group of guys tried to rob me after hours. Luckily, I was able to hide and no-one was hurt. I employ security but they don’t have guns and we are always on edge because we are targeted by criminals. I even have to sell my liquor through burglar bars to protect myself, staff and patrons.
How do you encourage your patrons to drink responsibly and how do you handle difficult patrons?
I make sure that there is always water available so they can alternate their drinks. I also never serve to anyone who has already had too much to drink. For those who do find themselves too drunk in my tavern, I have a “drunk people’s corner” in my home where I allow them to have a nap and sober up before they can join in the fun again.
How do you prepare your tavern for the bumper holiday season?
I make contact with the breweries and order my beer stock well in advance so I am fully-stocked in both December and January. I also start planning my ladies nights and festive parties during November and come up with drink specials so I can attract more patrons during the busiest season.
Location: 737 Forbes Road, Zone 6, Meadowlands
WILSON’S PLACE Owner: Wilson Ndoweni | Organisation: NTHA
How did you get into the tavern trade?
I was employed until 1999 but I lost my job. It as a blessing in disguise because I love working for myself and I am very happy that I started my tavern all those years ago.
What challenges do you face in this industry?
My biggest challenge would be the rude customers that I have to put up with sometimes. Thankfully, they are not my regulars so I don’t have to see them every day. Not everyone follows the rules of my tavern and that is a pity!
Do you have future plans for your tavern?
Yes, it is my dream to make my tavern much bigger by renovating. I want to separate and enlarge the areas where you can eat meals and drink and my entertainment area where I play my music.
How do you give back to your community?
I love the Meadowlands community and we are always assisting each other and especially those in need. I give back by assisting with funerals – whether it is donating money or offering my tavern for prayers – and everyone knows that they can borrow cash from me!
Location: 197A Thiri Street,
Meadowlands
LT’S PLACE Owner: Thabisile Qwabe | Organisation: BVFBA How did you get into the tavern trade? How do you prepare your tavern for the bumper holiday season?
I started my tavern in 1995 because I knew that I could make it on my own by working for myself. I am a single mom of two boys so it was natural for me to start my own business to support my family. I built it up very slowly from scratch and I am proud of what it has grown into today. It might not be the biggest tavern, but I can say that it is definitely one of the more popular taverns in the Vosloorus area! What challenges do you face in this industry? I feel that male patrons undermine me because I am a female business owner. Luckily, they never get far with that thinking because my sons and their friends are tough and strong! They assist me when I am struggling with an unruly patron. Another challenge that I face is that the liquor suppliers don’t really support or help us tavern owners in ways that we need them to. We support their business so they, in turn, should support ours. I prepare well in advance by making sure that I buy all of my supplies in bulk before the holiday season hits. That includes as much extra stock of beer and other popular liquor brands that sell well. In that way, I am always fully stocked and my patrons don’t have to go elsewhere for the drinks, and it saves me the time of running around during the busiest season of the year. Do you have future plans for your tavern? Yes, I would like to add a few snooker tables in the near future as added entertainment for my patrons. Location: 10619 Makhura Street, Ext 14, Vosloorus
LT's Place, Thabisile Qwabe
THLAS TAVERN Owner: Elizabeth Shozi | Organisation: BVFBA
How did you get into the tavern trade?
I started my tavern four years ago out of the need to start making a decent living for myself and my family. It is growing at a faster pace than I thought it would and it is a joy to manage with the assistance of my daughter, Nthabiseng.
What sets your tavern apart from the rest of the taverns in your area?
My prices are good! I believe that you will retain your customers with good pricing and that has worked for me. My menu is a hit too. I serve tasty pap, braaivleis and chips daily. I also have a big yard for dancing and socialising and plenty of tables inside my tavern if you prefer to just relax at my place.
I have one rule that we swear by – don’t serve to drunk people – ever! Luckily, my patrons understand that rule and if they ever get out of hand, I have my two security guards who make sure that the environment stays peaceful and safe for everyone.
Location: 387 Buhle Park,
Germiston
How did you get into the tavern trade?
I started trading with a tuckshop in 2001 but there were just too many people at the time who operated tuckshops and spaza shops, which forced me to close up shop and move onto a tavern instead, which offers more profit.
What challenges do you face in this industry?
My main challenge is that the tavern industry is saturated and the tuckshops have also begun to sell liquor so it is very difficult to compete with so many similar businesses in one place.
How do you encourage your patrons to drink responsibly?
I encourage my patrons to order a meal from my kitchen before they start drinking. If anyone misbehaves, I am known to give spot fines. That usually discourages everyone else from misbehaving!
How do you prepare your tavern for the bumper holiday season?
I am a member of a stokvel and we save throughout the year to buy our holiday stock as well as our meat. I have been paying R3 000 every week towards my stokvel and am expecting my payout at the end of October. The money will go towards stockpiling all my liquor and anything else that I need for my tavern to ensure that I don’t run out of stock.
Location: 14276 Katlego Street, Ivory Park Ext. 12, Midrand
How did you get into the tavern trade?
I was working for a company for many years but was retrenched and had to make a plan to support myself and my family.
What challenges do you face in this industry?
As a woman, one of the challenges that I face is that this industry is male dominated! Another big challenge is the fact that it is becoming harder to retain customers because there are Pick n Pay and Spar (Tops) liquor stores trading in our area and we just can’t compete with their specials so we are losing our customers to the big guys.
Mojela's Place, Phillemon and Linda Mojela
How do you encourage your patrons to drink responsibly?
I always make sure that there is water available throughout the tavern so that they can alternate their alcohol with water. My staff and I don’t serve or sell to anyone that we feel has had enough to drink. That is our golden rule and customers respect that.
Do you have future plans for your tavern?
I would like to extend my tavern and have extra place for storage of all the liquor and crates. Renovating and adding more room for everyone is something that I am looking at doing soon!
Location: 6583 Ndovhuwa Street, Ivory Park, Midrand
