Atterbury is taking over full management of The Village on 1 March with big plans for creating a cohesive Old East Precinct in Hazelwood. A pedestrian link between the Club and the Village, a solution for the pressing parking shortage, and other infrastructural and legal compliance improvements will see the area blossom over the next 18 months. This is great news for the tenants, who can now build their businesses for the long term without the threat of regulatory noncompliance forcing them out of their premises. We spoke to the owners of three of the Village’s most popular hangout spots, who shared their reasons for being excited…

How long have you been at The Village?
Danae Savva of Culture Club: Culture Club is an original concept that was first opened in The Village in 2016.

Taso Kritharis of Taso’s: We are fairly new here, having opened in August last year.

Izaan Schmulow of Burger Bistro: We have had Burger Bistro Hazelwood since the opening day, 16 January 2016. I’m in business with two partners, my brother and my husband.

In your opinion, what makes the Village so special?
DS: The fact that it’s not a conventional concrete shopping mall, but rather a collection of street side cafés and shops. The idea that people can walk around the streets in the open, surrounded by greenery, appeals to the very international mix of patrons that frequents The Village. All the shops are owner-run and -driven and that adds to the appeal. It’s also a little bit European, if you ask me… you don’t even feel like you are sitting in Pretoria when you sit under our tree on the deck.

TK: It really is all about the atmosphere, which is very relaxed and vibey. It has a hint of Stellenbosch about it…

IS:  It is so vibrant and authentic… being the only street-side restaurant strip of its kind in Pretoria, there is nothing that compares.

How has the environment changed over the years that you’ve been trading here?
DS: The tenant mix has changed a little since inception, but other than that the ethos and feeling of The Village has remained the same.

IvZ: If anything, The Village has grown over the past three years and become ever more vibrant.

Now that Atterbury is taking over management, what are you looking forward to?
DS: We are hoping that Atterbury’s plans to create a link between the two centres will create more of that European feel and bring in more likeminded owner-run businesses. We are also really looking forward to a solution to the parking dilemma.

TK: Atterbury has a reputation for being very professional, and that is why we are looking forward to working together.

IS: We are really happy about the upcoming upgrading of roads and facilities. That, and also the additional parking that will be added. We’re excited about the whole Old East Precinct concept and what that will bring to the area.

If you could add anything to the proposed plans, what would you add?
DS: Adding some green, parklike spaces would be great. People like to walk their dogs in the afternoons and take family walks, so something like that would definitely add to our status as the neighbourhood space they want to be in.

TK: The more parking the better, and the area would benefit if many more spaces were created for retail stores to move in. We are aware that Atterbury is planning increased security that would be welcome.

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