Give restaurant a chance, says manager

A GLENWOOD restaurant owner said he had feared his business would fail before it even started trading due to bad publicity on social media.

The owner of Ndawo Yethu, which means Our Place, said he bought the popular Three Monkeys Coffee Bar in Glenwood Village Market hoping to carry on its tradition of serving good food to locals in the area. However he said the opening of the business was overshadowed by numerous posts on Facebook decrying that it had a new owner and that it was potentially a bar.

Some residents who live in close proximity posted that they feared the new restaurant owner would allow a nosier operation than his predecessor, and what’s more, residents said the later closing time would attract the ‘wrong element’ to the neighbourhood.

When Berea Mail visited Ndawo Yethu last week we found the same quaint restaurant in operation. Manager of the restaurant, Shana February, who worked at Three Monkeys for six years before it closed, said: “Almost everything is the same. Same menu, same staff, same service. All that has changed is the name, the look and the business hours. You can still come in for your breakfast with R50, and leave with change.”

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February said Three Monkeys also served alcohol, and had a band performing once a month. She said following the opening on 3 October, where a DJ welcomed guests, bouncers were employed to keep guests out of the restaurant after the bar closed, and cleaners were on duty to keep the toilets clean, the owner was aware that the business could not by law have any smoking tables or live music or DJs performing on the premises in the future. Only background music will be allowed.
The kitchen will now close at 9pm and the bar will close at 10pm. February said alcohol consumption of patrons will also be monitored.

“All licenses are in place now and we want people to come and enjoy the restaurant, this neighbourhood needed a nice fine and dine. We understand people are scared of change, but as before, we want to take care of our customers,” she said.

Commenting on the restaurant, Heather Roos from the Umbilo CPF said they had met with the owner, police, licensing department, landlord and centre management. She said although the opening went ahead despite the owner being warned it should be cancelled, and warnings were issued, no further complaints had been received regarding this business.

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