Food Lover’s Market Castle Gate is ‘world class’
FOOD Lover’s Market, South Africa’s largest privately owned family retailer, has opened its stunning R58 million investment at Castle Gate Lifestyle Centre, which includes a signature Seattle Coffee Co and a Market Liquors outlet. Construction on this 3 500m² site started in February, and this new flagship has been designed to offer shoppers “an incredible one-stop shopping destination”, the retailer said.
The Castle Gate store – a first for the Erasmuspark area – is adjacent to the N1 just off Soloman Mahlungu Drive in Pretoria. This world-class store serves the surrounding communities of Waterkloof, Constantia Park, Waterkloof Glen, Moreleta Park, Elardus Park, and Erasmusrand.
To create a “true theatre of food,” Food Lover’s Market Castle Gate features animatronics, digital screens, wider aisles for easier shopping, departments designed as dedicated destinations, and energy efficiency.
Travis Coppin, CEO of Food Lover’s Market Retail, says, “We’re passionate about offering our shoppers an incredible shopping experience while striving to become the best destination store in the community. As a family, we are so proud to open this store, and I am confident it will create an experience like no other.”
The store manager is Chantelle Hutchinson, who has worked for the Food Lover’s Market group for 24 years. Hutchinson previously managed the teams at Food Lover’s Market Cradelstone and New Market. She has 160 team members to support her, 22 of whom are part of the gourmet Butchery section.
During orientation, all Food Lover’s Market team members completed food safety training, as well as the Food Lover’s Market Values and Customer Xperience workshop. The team undertakes customer service training programmes to prioritise “living the Food Lover’s Market values”, the importance of customer service, and understanding all the product lines.
While 52 team members are existing colleagues, the rest have all been recruited from the surrounding areas.
“With a new store comes a new team, and we love adding more smiling faces to the Food Lover’s Market family and getting to know one another. We are passionate about delivering an exceptional shopping experience and look forward to welcoming shoppers to our new store,” says Hutchinson.
Customers will enjoy the Grab & Go selection of foods – including sushi and a biltong Bar. A new addition to the in-store offering will be an artisan ice cream parlour at the store entrance.
Coppin adds: “Customers can look forward to our regular weekly deals as well as our special events such as Winter and Summer Carnival, Ten Buck and many more.”