Zulu The Gin Gallery still beating to its own drum
"There are so many challenges that have come up. There have been a number of losses we had to deal with"
A Bedfordview business owner is confident about his restaurant and cocktail bar’s future despite the challenges that lie ahead.
Owner of Zulu The Gin Gallery in Bedfordview Kini Nqaba Shandu said he is uncertain when his business will operate fully again.
“There are so many challenges that have come up. There have been a number of losses we had to deal with. We will look at what makes business sense, to re-open or not, as a small business, you need to take everything into account. Unlike massive food chains, we don’t have that kind of support, we have been hit the hardest,” said Kini.
He said although the restaurant is not operating, they have to pay rent amongst other expenses, as they are not closed completely.
“We are weighing our options at the moment. Should we come back full force or gear towards online takeaways -Whatever decision we make, the restaurant will not be the same, as businesses, especially restaurants, have to now operate differently.
“We will probably operate with a cautious mind and be conscious about what may affect the business. We can’t go all in like we did in the beginning,” said Kini.
“The pandemic is forcing us to go a different route. We were just one foot into the community, there was still so much we were planning before we had to stop operating.”
Kini said he has learnt a lot, being a business owner, during lockdown.
“I have learnt now to embrace going online and looking at delivery services as we never got to that point before the lockdown. I have learnt the traditional way is out the door.
“As everything is unpredictable, it also taught me to take things as they come and not to shy away from it. We will resuscitate, reshape and redirect ourselves to a place where the business can once again be sustainable,” said Kini.
