Catz to wear new pyjamas

After  21 years on Main Road in Melville, the Catz Pyjamas Restaurant and Catering closed its doors on 25 February and will relocate to Parkhurst. Many Melville residents have memories of nights out at ‘Catz’ and owner, Natasha Coetzee, promises the Catz Pyjamas spirit will not be lost in the move.

Before her days in the restaurant trade, Coetzee worked for the Southern Sun hotel chain. At the age of 26 she decided to open up her own restaurant and after a night of great ideas, the name Catz Pyjamas was born.

At the time, a restaurant that was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, was unheard of, but Coetzee, with her hands-on approach made it possible. Now, Coetzee explained it is a time for change, as she is no longer 26. “I matured and grew up in the business. I love the people of Melville and we have had a good innings,” Coetzee added.

The new restaurant should be ready to open its doors in February 2017, but one can still get their fix of Catz cuisine as a takeaway, catering and deliveries outpost is set up in Melville Boulevard Shopping Centre. The takeaway will still operate 24 hours and the whole menu is available.

According to Coetzee, there are couples that have gotten married after they met at Catz Pyjamas; the restaurant was honoured by the presence of artists and bands such as U2, Faithless and Massive Attack and Coetzee has many more stories of situations she claims the average person will never experience. However, there are still good times to be had.

The new Catz Pyjamas will not be 24 hour and will have a few new additions and surprise twists, but Coetzee is adamant the feel of Catz will still be the same, all the way down to the presentation of the food and the classics on the menu.

“I’m ready to move on. I had my cry, I said my goodbyes and we opened up some champagne. Now I’m excited for the future,” Coetzee said.

Details: Catz Pyjamas, 011 726 8596.