Shop Fitting Facelift for Thandi's Takeaway

Online, June 10, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Creative Shop, a Johannesburg based shop fitting company, assisted fellow local entrepreneur, Thandi Mokhali, with free shop fitting services for her fledgling takeaway business, Thandi's Takeaways.

Creative Shop has supported Thandi's Takeaways from the day it opened six year ago by allowing Ms. Mokhali to run her business from Creative Shop's factory site rent free.

Trading from underneath a makeshift canopy, Thandi's Takeaways has since gone on to become a favourite with the local community who appreciate Ms. Mokhali's traditional African style menu and tasty cooking.

Brandon Williams, Director of Creative Shop, watched Thandi's Takeaways grow from strength to strength over the years; and was impressed with Ms. Mokhali's ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. However, after speaking with Ms. Mokhali, Mr Williams learned of the difficulties involved in trading out of an informal structure.

Since the Thandi's Takeaways canopy tent was exposed to the elements, Ms. Mokhali had to pack up all her produce and cooking equipment every evening and take it with her on the long taxi ride back to her home. Ms. Mokhali was also afraid that criminals would steal her furniture and canopy during the night.

When Mr. Williams found out Ms. Mokhali was unable to upgrade her business to a more permanent structure due to financial difficulties; he offered to assist her by using his shop fitting expertise to build her a new store.

Mr. Williams and the Creative Shop team spent a morning converting a brand new Wendy house into a mobile takeaway shop, complete with signage and a brand new gas grill. Wheels were installed on the bottom of the newly designed shop so that if Ms. Mokhali ever wants to move location, she can to do so with ease.

The new shop was ready in time to open for its usual one o'clock lunch time serving.

Ms. Mokhali is delighted with her new retail premises because she can now lock all her belongings and equipment in her store at night without worrying about rain and criminals.

Mr. Williams believes it is the responsibility of every business to support the local entrepreneurs who are making a difference it their community and encourages other entrepreneurs to assist their fellow businesses in whatever way they can.

Creative Shop wishes Thandi's Takeaways all the best for the future.