Mall News

While The Wedge, Morningside is still very much a construction site, it is showing signs of promise with a greatly improved centre becoming ever more visible.  The underground parking is complete, though the access ramps, not so much.  Cladding is in progress.  New businesses are seeing the potential and moving in alongside the minority who decided to stick it out: Seattle Coffee, Clicks, Village Vetshop, Morningside Dispensary, the Optometrist, nail bar and the hairdresser.

Woolworths is being refurbished and will reopen on 12 April.  A 3@1 Business Centre recently opened.  Underneath Kong Tai (restaurant review next month) a new restaurant is about to open, Morningside 011 by the Baron.  Our favourite Italian restaurant, Polpetta, is moving from 90° on Rivonia to the upper deck where Pize e Vino was, and expected to open on 3 April.

With all that food potential, it seems just as well that a Planet Fitness gym is intending to open too.  And that The Firm ("the Thin End of the Wedge") decided to stay.  More slimming news near the end of this newsletter.

Odd Jobs

Trade Union Calendar: "January, February, March, March, March, March..."

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Polpetta Pizza & Pasta in 90° on Rivonia – Italian Restaurant, Pizzeria & Take-Away is moving to The Wedge on 3 April, on the upper deck where Pize e Vino was.
• FNB (First National Bank) in Rivonia Village is currently being refurbished – use Chilli Lane or Morningside instead. ATMs are open.
• McDonalds, in Rivonia Area Shops – corner Rivonia Road and Mutual Road (entrance in Rivonia Boulevard) is closed for a revamp, except for the drive-thru and walk-thru.
• Trend Co. (C9 Lower level), Building C in Woodmead Commercial Park.
• SA Auto Brokers (C8 Lower level), Building C in Woodmead Commercial Park – Cash flow problems? Sell your car, bakkie, double-cab or 4x4 to them and then rent it back. Also used vehicle sales. Open Monday-Friday 08:00–16:30, Saturday 08:00–11:00.
• 3@1 Business Centre, Shop 27, Lower Level in The Wedge, Morningside – Opened 15 Feb 2018. DHL Express Easy, counter to counter national courier, Kodak Express offering photos, collages, block mounting, photobooks, ID and Visa, photos. Business, print, broad format print and related services like binding, laminating. Business registrations and many SARS-related services.
• Curro Castle School near Petervale Shopping Centre.
• WhiskyBrother Bar, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Johannesburg's first dedicated whisky bar.
• Jasmine Food Bar, Shop 4, Rivonia Boulevard 329 in Rivonia Area Shops – Chinese food: Rice dishes, noodle dishes, soups, main dishes, sides.
• Infinity Elegance, Shop 15, Ground in Early Dawn Mall – Ladies' Hairdresser. Nails. Spa. Space or whole shop to let.
• Dial-a-Bed, Shop GF09, Ground in Rivonia Village – Bed Shop, Mattress Factory. Homeware. Opened 19 March 2018.
• Regus Business Centre, Offices in Rivonia Village – Office Tower 2nd Floor: Fully serviced and furnished office space, Virtual Offices, Mobile Offices, Meeting Rooms, Video Conferencing Facilities.
• Aplonix Travel, Offices in Rivonia Village – Asian Airline Ticketing, Visa Applications, Travel Documents.
• Property.CoZa, Offices in Rivonia Village – Estate Agents.
• Freddy Morningside, Shop U21a, Upper Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Clothing store. "WR.UP denim trousers, designed to underline all women’s best shape". WR.UP® Sport, corsair-style pants.
• Morningside 011 by the Baron, Lower Level in The Wedge, Morningside – Funky eatery, opening soon.
• Neo Luxury Bar, Shop 10, Upper Level in The Wedge, Morningside – Niche fragrances exclusively from Italy and France, local bathroom things (diffusers, lotions, candles, body butter).
• Biru Restaurant, Rivonia Boulevard 329 in Rivonia Area Shops – on the 3rd floor.
• Mochachos Chicken Village, Ground in Grosvenor Crossing – Mexican chicken restaurant and take-away. They deliver.
• Arena Wellness, Shop 15, Ground in Grosvenor Crossing – Exercise gym and juice bar: Boutique fitness hub with quality service, expert coaching and the latest equipment.
• Cotton On Kids, Shop 65,66, North Wing in Woodmead Retail Park – Discount children's clothing, up to 50% off. "Australia’s largest value fashion group".
• Pandora Jewellery, Shop 77, North Wing in Woodmead Retail Park – Up to 50% off selected jewellery.
• DMF - Discount My Fashion, Shop 33, North Wing in Woodmead Retail Park – Branded men's, women's, kids' clothing up to 60% off regular price, imported without the approval of the registered owner of the trademark.
• Mankind by J, Shop 23, Restaurant Area in Woodmead Retail Park – Speciality, tobacco, nuts, biltong, men's gifting.
• Fresh Lemon Laundry and Dry Cleaners, Shop 16, North Wing in Parkmore Square – Dry cleaning and laundry.
• Jangi Commodities CC, Shop Office 1, North Wing in Parkmore Square – Sellers of quality, affordable and unique accessories and costume jewellery.
• Silk Stitches Bridal Boutique has moved from 329 Rivonia Boulevard in Rivonia Area Shops to 58, 6th Street, Parkhurst. Still at 076 776 6818, 010 786 0990.
• Just Wear It moved to The Buzz, Fourways from Early Dawn Mall – Embroidery, screen printing, garment printing, personalised names, numbers and gifts; promotional items, graphic design.
• By Broadway in Parkmore Square has moved and become TOB’s (The Tailor on Broadway) in New Brighton near Parkmore Square – Hire and Retail of formal evening wear, Tailor-made garments, alterations and dry cleaning.

Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top

Funny Language, English...

Cellars are usually damp and musty. Table salt works best when dry. Hence, a really bad place to keep your salt is in a salt cellar.

Gone to Their Just Reward:  Back to top

• Silver Pine Spur, Shop 41 in Morning Glen Mall – Steak Restaurant and Fast Food: Great steaks, salads, hamburgers, chicken, chips and soft drinks. Excellent attitude to customers.
• ATMs in Rivonia Village – Automatic Teller Machines from ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank and Nedbank were in a little freestanding block, now demolished, outside Ninos. There are Nedbank and Standard ATMs up the escalators at these banks, and at the FNB branch.
• Paolo Confectioners (C9 Lower level) in Woodmead Commercial Park – Confectioners and caterers.
• Smeg Outlet Store + Origo Outlet Store, Shop G7 in Woodmead Commercial Park – "Technology with style". Was next to Yeesh.
• Revive Dry Cleaners in Grayston Shopping Centre – Dry cleaning, clothing alterations and shoe repairs.
• Senhor Calistos Fish and Chicken & Mi Vami in Grayston Shopping Centre – Two fast food restaurants in one: Fish, chicken, family meals, sausages, seafood. Middle-Eastern delicacies.
• Foil Styling, Shop UG1 in Grayston Shopping Centre – Boutique Hair - was 1st Floor.
• Viso Bello Skin Care Centre, Shop UG6 in Grayston Shopping Centre – Skin, body, nails. Facials, massage and body treatments, manicure, pedicure, waxing and laser. Nimue stockists. Was 1st Floor.
• Loumod, Shop U33 in Morningside Shopping Centre – ladies' and men's shoes, handbags and belts.
• Café Tavia in Rivonia Area Shops – Bakery and coffee shop, at 329 Rivonia Boulevard opposite Rivonia Village upper parking entrance.
• Taiwan Café at 329 Rivonia Boulevard in Rivonia Area Shops – Chinese food: Rice dishes, soups, noodle dishes, Taiwan street food.
• Gossip Girls Hair Studio, Shop 15 in Early Dawn Mall – Ladies' Hairdresser.
• WOW Junction, Shop 09 in Rivonia Village – Electronics, gadgets, accessories, leather brands, decor and exclusive crockery that are of good quality and value for money.
• The Bread Basket, Shop L26 in Morningside Shopping Centre – Bakery, bread, pastries, restaurant, deli, coffee shop with breakfasts, light meals, sandwiches, etc.
• Lorna Jane, Shop U21a in Morningside Shopping Centre – South Africa's premier women's activewear label.: Sportswear, gym wear, underwear, footwear, Little Miss Lorna Jane.
• Kazu Fashions, Shop 26 in The Wedge, Morningside – Unisex Clothing Boutique.
• Fit Electro Fitness, Shop 16 in Grosvenor Crossing – Electric muscle stimulation combined with active exercise helps muscle development and toning.
• Pember, Shop 65 in Woodmead Retail Park – Imported ladies clothing and evening wear, quality leather handbags and accessories.
• Coricraft Sleep Studio, Shop 33 in Woodmead Retail Park – Household furniture: Couches, dining-room tables and chairs, art, beds, etc.
• Cuba Tobacconist, Shop 14B in Woodmead Retail Park – Everything you need for suicide by smoking.
• Trixie's Dried Fruit & Nuts, Shop 14A in Woodmead Retail Park – Beef, game, ostrich, chicken biltong, dried fruit & nuts, sweets & chocolates.
• Placecol Health & Beauty Centre, Shop 77 in Woodmead Retail Park – The home of soft laser facial treatments. Was next door to Woolworths.
• Triumph Bra Outlet Woodmead, Shop 72 in Woodmead Retail Park – Lingerie Shop: Branded brassieres and panties.
• Corbett Investment Properties, Shop 17 in Parkmore Square – Residential Sales and rentals.

Are You Seek?   Back to top

Julius says, if you suspect you have mysteriousis, you should sick medical intention..

Deadline: Object to Your Joburg City Rates by 6 April!

The 2018  City of Johannesburg General Valuation Roll is valid for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2022 and open for public inspection until 15:00 on 6 April 2018. Ratepayers have until then to lodge objections to the ridiculous inflation of your property's value.  The Valuation Roll may be inspected at twelve Customer Service Centres, of which your closest might be:

• Sandton Customer Service Centre: 137 Daisy Street Sandton.
• Midrand Customer Service Centre: Teljoy Building, 300 15th Road, Midrand
• Randburg Civic Customer Service Centre: Cnr Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue, Randburg

Your property's value and information can also be viewed on the COJ Valuations website, where you will be able to lodge an objection and upload the form: Go to https://coj2018.evaluations.co.za/eServices/ and register.  For help, call the friendly agents on 087 365 3094.

To get your property valued, many estate agents will give you a free valuation, though the City does not regard them as authoritative (even though they are the people selling house daily --go figure!).  Google for "property valuation Johannesburg" to find many of them, plus professional Valuers (Valuators?) who will charge you.  For R92, WinDeed will give you an automated valuation based on local sales (ours was disappointingly similar to the municipal valuation).

Obesity Rules!

In November, Weight Watchers went into liquidation.  To fill the gap (so to speak), some franchises are continuing on their own:

Trina McKinley writes, "I now run a Slimming Group called Trina’s Trimmers Slimming Club. We meet Mondays @ 5pm in the Tennis Pavilion, Morningside Country Club, Rivonia. Program: 16:50–17:18 Weigh-in; 17:20–17:40 Motivational Talk [should be good: Trina is a Distinguished Toastmaster --Editor]; 17:42–18:00 New Trimmers Q&A."  Call Trina on 083-646-8846 or email mckinley@telkomsa.net

Overheard near the Checkout:

"This is the third shop that doesn't have any Brussels Sprouts!"
"Odd... something to do with Brexit, perhaps?"