Andrew Karamichael – The early years
He was a poor immigrant in a foreign land and he could barely speak a word of English, but he was young and eager for adventure.
Andrew Karamichael was born in a small village, Peristerona, Paphos.
He came to South Africa from Cyprus in 1962 at the age of 16.
He was a poor immigrant in a foreign land and he could barely speak a word of English, but he was young and eager for adventure.
“My dad was a pioneer and a risk taker who loved adventure,” said Harry Karamichael, Andrew’s son.
His first job was working for his uncle at Parkmore Café.
He worked seven days a week, opening time to closing time, for no salary, but his uncle rewarded his work with accommodation, food and the experience of managing a supermarket.
This experience would prove to be invaluable in the years to come.
In 1964 he left his uncle’s business and took up a job at another café in Alberton, this time to earn a salary and gain further experience in supermarket retailing.
Three years later, he took a loan from Vaal Tobacco to buy his first shop, Parklands Café.
In 1968 Andrew met his wife, Sophia, and they were married.
Sophia recalls Andrew cutting their honeymoon in Durban short as he wanted to get back to the shop.
On his return he asked Sophia to work with him from that day on.
Little did the two realise that this was the start of the exceptional business and the family life they had aspired to.
Andrew and Sophia then moved to various businesses, including Harmelia Café, Pappillon Roadhouse, Concorde Supermarket, Croydon Dry Cleaners, The Reeds Supermarket and finally to Karaglen.
With every venture the couple took on a large amount of business risk, yet always exceeded their own expectations.
“My father always had a vision and set high standards,” Harry said.
Andrew always aspired to owning a Spar.
His initial application to open a Spar at Karaglen was refused and Andrew joined the Sentra family temporarily.
He persisted in his dream of owning a Spar.
On his second application the National Guild overturned the initial regional committee’s decision and granted Karaglen Spar membership.
The store was opened in 1992.
Karaglen has become synonymous with outstanding butchery standards, winning many Cleaver Awards.
