Megaplex Newsletter 2022 November: Shopping in Sandton

Shopping in Sandton – November 2022

Welcome to Megaplex's monthly newsletter! We alert the up-market shopper to the new and interesting in Sandton and Bryanston.  Despite the date, this is Black-Friday-free zone: You are getting enough ads from other sources on the subject. Our jokes are good and original!  (Admittedly, the good ones aren't original, and the original ones aren't that good). Please feel free to support our advertisers!  To subscribe, see our subscription page.


Contents:
Welcome ~ New Shops
Restaurant Review ~ Closed
Civic Tip ~ The Checkout

Need a Plumber?
Call Doctor Pipes!

Also waterproofing and
small building alterations.

Under personal supervision of Mark Michalow
SMS, WhatsApp or phone
082 412 5152
 
email Doctor Pipes

Links to Other Pages:
Megaplex Home – Overview of Shops, Facilities, and Accommodation in Northern Sandton.

Accommodation in Rivonia

Shopping Centres in Sunninghill:
The Square
Sunninghill Village
Sunhill Shopping Centre
Chilli Lane Shopping Centre
Chilli on Top Centre
The Core

Speaking in Public can be Fun!

It's true!  Try Mariswe Toastmasters and see! 
Hybrid meetings (in person & Online) Tue 13 Dec & 10 Jan at 18:00. Call or message Rick on 082 389 3482 or email

Shopping Centres in and near Bryanston:
Cramerview Village
Nicolway Shopping Centre
Coachman's Crossing
Grosvenor Crossing
Hobart Grove Centre
Bryanston Shopping Centre
Riverside Shopping Centre
Hurlingham Pick 'n Pay Centre
Bryanpark Shopping Centre
Epsom Downs
Sloane Square

Shopping Centres in the Woodmead area:
Wendywood Centre
Woodmead Value Mart
Woodmead Super Value
Woodmead Commercial Park
Woodmead Retail Park
Woodmead Square
Dunwoody Centre
Woodlands Office Park
Kelvin Village
The Bridge, Buccleuch
Other Shops and Shopping in Woodmead

Non-Religious? Meet other Humanists & Atheists online:

The South African Secular Society (SASS) holds social & educational Meetups online monthly, and some in person. Visit us on Meetup and chat on the Telegram App.

Shopping Centres in Central Sandton::
Grayston Shopping Centre
Atholl Square Shopping Centre
Sandhurst Centre, Rivonia Rd

Shopping in and around Rivonia:
Rivonia Central
Rivonia Village Centre
Rivonia Junction
Mutual Mews
Early Dawn Mall
Shops in Central Rivonia
Shops in Northern Rivonia
Cambridge Crossing
Petervale Shopping Centre

Shopping Centres in
Greater Morningside:

Morningside Shopping Centre
The Wedge, Morningside
Morning Glen Mall
90 Degrees on Rivonia
Morning View
Sandton Court
Benmore Gardens
Shops in the Morningside Area

Be The Special One in a Hundred!

Everyone
needs blood, but few people donate.

Donate at Design and Décor Centre (near Molly Malones), Forest Road and Sunset Ave, Pineslopes, Sandton: Tel 011 465 6441

Accommodation & Restaurants:
Accommodation in Rivonia,
Restaurants in Rivonia,
Rivonia Restaurant reviews,
Sandton Restaurant reviews,
Morningside Restaurant reviews.

Other Places of Interest:
Sandspruit Hiking Trail,
Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre,
Montrose Nursery Garden Centre and Gia's Coffee Shop.

Bloodbath at The Bridge, Buccleuch

How's that for a clickbait headline?

No injuries or deaths of people, fortunately, but a lot of shops have died since last we visited.  As you can see in the Closed Shops section below.

The Bridge is the only shopping centre in Buccleuch. It has remained unrenovated for years, serving the basic needs of this community. It's a suburb separated from the rest of Sandton by the M1 Motorway and Frankenwald, and itself split by the Jukskei River and the N3 highway. The Bridge was named for the nearby bridge where Buccleuch Drive crosses the Jukskei. But the name could now also be for the adjacent flyover of the N3 over Buccleuch Drive.

Sadly, the centre is not being maintained and has become quite seedy. Only the KwikSpar seems to be looking after its shop and sidewalk. The rest of the centre is falling into disrepair, it's no wonder that there are many vacant shops. Or perhaps that's the reason! With less rent coming in to pay for maintenance, the centre goes downhill, more shops leave, and it creates a death spiral.

Odd Jobs:  Back to top

Jobs where you can get it wrong most of the time and not be fired:
Weather Forecaster.
Horse-Racing Tipster.
Soccer player for Bafana Bafana.
SA Public Protector.
ANC Government Cabinet Minister.

New Padel Courts at Morning Glen Mall

Padel Perfect has opened its first South African club at Morning Glen Mall in Morningside Manor and Gallo Manor, Sandton. You can play, eat and shop, all in one location. With free parking, ablutions and a food truck.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. Scoring is the same as normal tennis.  The balls used are similar, with less pressure. The main differences are that the court has glass walls and the balls can be played off them in a similar way to the game of squash and that solid, stringless bats are used. The height of the ball being served must be at or below waist level.

It is said to be great fun and easier than tennis.  Book here to try it out.

Do You Use Excel?  Making Mistakes is Easy!

Finding errors is hard! But they can kill your company! In 2012, a London Olympics employee accidentally typed in “20,000” instead of “10,000". The Olympic Committee then sold 10,000 tickets for non-existent seats at minor events. They had to upgrade them to major events —at a loss. Get this FREE report on preventing Excel mistakes..

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

  • Praia Prawns has become Medley Speciality Grocers, Shop L26, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Specialised food deli. Prawns, seafood, preprepared meals. Vegetarian/vegan, Halaal, and Spice Route (particularly Indian) groceries.
  • Absolute Pets, Lower Level in The Wedge, Morningside – Vet Shop: Veterinary-quality Pet Food: Vet's Choice, Eukanuba, Hills, Iams, etc., pet toys, dog and cat beds. Unusually, sells tropical fish. Has a grooming parlour.
  • Car Time, Lower Level in Chilli on Top Shopping Centre Sunninghill – Service Centre. Repair, service and maintain your car with us: All popular brands of vehicle, Merc a speciality. Opened 1 Sept 2022.
  • Fish Focus (Pty) Ltd., Central in Rivonia Area Shops – Design and build fish tanks to compliment your home or office. Maintain your aquarium. Regular live coral and fish imports for clients. 4 Second Ave, Rivonia.
  • Shawn Marshall, Shop L10, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Men's boutique. Luxury brand for the modern professional.
  • Morningside Telkom, Shop L22, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Cell phones, contracts, data.
  • Bespoke Bootlegger, Shop L25, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Liquor shop.
  • Buccleuch Cellphone Shop, Shop 11, Ground in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Wholesale and retail: Cell phone repair centre for all kinds. Accessories, pouches, computer monitors, screen protectors.
  • Healing with Crafts, Ground in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Fabric painting, decoupage, mosaic, diamond dotting and much more. Enquire about their fun workshops.
  • Clamira Hair & Beauty, Ground in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Avon products.
  • Ladies' Prayer Facility, 1st Floor in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Ladies only, probably Muslim. Not the place to pray that you find a lady.
  • Romis Fashion, 1st Floor in The Bridge Shopping Centre.

Furnished Morningside Room to Let February 2023

Self-catering double bedroom with shared bathroom, kitchen etc., in house in Morningside Manor.  Wi-Fi.  Carpeted, fully furnished and serviced including laundry. Light during load-shedding. Ideal for student or single person. Close to shops and bus routes.  Call 082 389 3482, e-mail us, or click here.

Today's Mondegreen

“Chopping wood to warm his arsehide”.

 

Correct lyric: “Chopping wood to warm his hearthside” from Shawn Phillips’s "The Ballad of Casey Deiss".  Thanks, Mike, for this (nearly 5 decades ago)!

The Restaurant Review! Back to top

Our second review since lockdown.  Last of the Big Spenders.

**** The Palm Terrace Restaurant, Protea Hotel Midrand by Marriott

Midrand, not quite in Sandton, but nearby.

The Palm Terrace unexpectedly turned out to be inside.  At least it had an open balcony with a view of the water features, which we enjoyed.

It was lunch, so we settled for a smallish meal rather than the buffet which would have included dessert.  Not having had pulled pork before, I tried the pulled pork burger at R120.  It turned out to be shredded pork, tender and tasty.  My companion had a beef burger (same price), and pronounced it good.  I had an Appletiser, pricey at R37.  My companion had a glass of water and lemon, free.  We were both going to be driving home, so no alcohol!

The food was artfully presented. Service was attentive, though the food took its time to come.  All-in-all, a pleasant lunchtime in relaxing surroundings with good food and company.

Total price: R277.

Dining at Protea Hotel MidrandBack to top

You know you're in South Africa when...

Load shedding is such a pain that you look into emigrating to Nigeria.

Do You keep Repeating the Same Actions in Excel?

Stop wasting precious time! Save an hour or more a week: Get your life back. How? Learn simple Macros: Record the repetitive action once, repeat it fast with a single keystroke whenever needed! This quick course will get you started fast:  Read more here.

Expired:  Back to top

  • Kemetic Fish Bar in The Wedge, Morningside – Fried and grilled fish. Calamari. Prawns. Wings (not clear from which fish). Burgers (hake, chicken). Russians. Ukrainians? Was Lower Level.
  • 3@1 Business Centre, Shop 28 in The Wedge, Morningside – DHL Express 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. Was Lower Level.
  • Anasa, Shop L10 in Morningside Shopping Centre – Ladies' boutique. Was Lower Level.
  • Cottage Flowers & Gifts, Shop L22 in Morningside Shopping Centre – Florist, décor, giftware. Was Lower Level on the right of Pick 'n Pay.
  • 786 Mobile Zone in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Cell phone and computer repair. Cellphone accessories. Batteries. Videos. Shoes. Was on Ground floor.
  • Merchant of Spice, Shop 10A in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Spices, soya products, prayer goods, samoosas, roti, basmati rice. Was on Ground floor.
  • Saheli's Boutique, Shop 10A in The Bridge Shopping Centre – In Merchant of Spice: Eastern wear direct from India. Punjabis, saree sandals, bridal outfits, sharwanis, accessories. Alterations and saree blouses done in store. Was on Ground floor.
  • Tailor, Shop 10A in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Was on Ground floor In Merchant of Spice: Ladies and Gents alterations.
  • Hair Evolution in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Hairdressers, stock Ladire. Was on Ground floor.
  • Ladies & Gents Suits Specialist, Shop 10B in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Was on Ground floor.
  • Curry Leaf, Shop 02 in The Bridge Shopping Centre – South Indian Speciality Restaurant and Take-Away. Curries, breyanis, rotis, bunny-chow, savouries and sweetmeats. Catering for office functions, weddings and other occasions. Was on Ground floor.
  • Tiffany's Collections, Shop 14 in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Bags, Shoes, African Fashion. Was 1st Floor.
  • The Study in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Tuition for high school "learners", after school homework assistance. Math, English, Afrikaans, drama and art. Was 1st Floor.
  • Gracelyn Preschool, Shop 05 in The Bridge Shopping Centre – from 3 months old to grade R. Transport available Was 1st Floor.
  • Vortex Healthcare, Shop 02 in The Bridge Shopping Centre – "The future of quality healthcare". Was 1st Floor.

Gratis Spreadsheets from Software Africa!

You can download these spreadsheets on request.  To use them you need Microsoft Excel (instructions included, but no batteries): Toastmasters Speech Contest Certificates, Vehicle Licence form, Bank Reconciliation, Fuel Consumption Record, Rainfall Record, Water Meter Readings, Electricity Meter Readings, Mattress Turning Schedule, John Demartini Savings Calculator, and Quotation System with Bill of Materials: Click Here.

Thought for the Week:

If you got your legal training by watching American TV courtroom dramas, you might be Dali Mpofu.

<< Fire Hydrant?

Funny, I could have sworn it was a tree.

(Stuart Ave, Morningside, a while ago.)

 

Blood Drive at Morning Glen Mall

Only 533,434 out of an estimated 60.6 million people in South Africa donate blood to SANBS, the SA National Blood Service.  That's under one in a hundred.  Pretty pathetic when you consider that most of us will need blood at some time in our lives.

Come and give blood; it won't kill you.

If Pineslopes and The Colony seem too far, there are blood drives at Benmore Gardens.  And now two at Morning Glen Mall, planned for Monday 5 December and then Sat-Sun-Mon 7,8,9 January 2023.

It couldn't hurt to come along!

Well, OK, it does hurt --a bit.  But your donation can save three lives.  Isn't that worth a little pain and half an hour of your time?

 

Overheard at the Checkout

"Should we get an air fryer? I see a lot of ads for them."
"It could certainly help your slimming programme."
"You think so?"
"Sure: How many calories can there be in fried air?"

Advertise in this Monthly e-Newsletter from only R192/month*!

4,658 subscribers, many of them dedicated Sandton Shoppers! e-mail us, or click here. (*Non-top banner for one year paid in advance, includes VAT, less discount)

Your name in print!  Would you like to contribute a shop- or restaurant review, a less obscure joke, or something else for this Newsletter?  Please e-mail us.  You will get full credit (unless you want anonymity).  Reach 4,658 shoppers and shop-owners: Advertise in this newsletter!  Editor: Rick Raubenheimer.


Back to top – © 2022 Megaplex cc. Privacy Policy.  All rights reserved. Contents may be used for reference purposes, as long as credit is duly given.
Newsletter Issued 24 November 2022 – Page Last Updated: 29 January 2023. – Contact us.