Google Maps shows both The Colony and a previously unknown "The Woods" Shopping Centre at the same address.  The centre is being rebranded by the new owners, who don't like colonialism.  As the photo above shows, signage still showed "The Colony" at end 2022.  Please visit the more up-to-date page for The Woods.

The Colony / The Woods is a village shopping centre at 345 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park.  Located on the corner of Rothesay Avenue, this local shopping centre houses one of the few clinics where you can donate blood. As of end 2022 it has a new supermarket (Checkers) as its anchor tenant, with Checkers Liquor to come.  It still has the pharmacy (rebranded) and Baby City.  There is an ATM (Standard Bank), but no banks. The inaccurately-named Pronto Restaurant is on Ground level and opposite it the new French restaurant, Liberté.

The centre is on a steep slope and has been built on several levels.  The first entrance you come to when driving North on Jan Smuts Avenue leads to a square with limited parking, which we have arbitrarily called the "Ground Floor" below. That is where the restaurants are.

From there you can drive through under an archway to extensive parking at the back of the centre.  This parking has an exit to, and an entrance from, Rothesay Avenue. The pharmacy, Checkers, and Baby City are on that parking area.  The Buddhist Centre and the "woo shop" (Energy Emporium) are now above Baby City, up the metal staircase (what a pity they don't provide access by levitation).

If you skip the first parking entrance, there is a second one just before Rothesay Avenue, also with limited parking, serving what we have called the "Lower Level" in the listing below.

A major revamp in the latter half of 2022 brought a huge rearrangement.  Many tenants have been lost: The colourful traditional pub The Colony Arms, the Buddhist Centre (moved somewhere), "Living Yoga", Pandora, Bookdealers, the Chinese restaurant, Steers and Lekker Vegan.

The internal staircase that formed the heart of the centre and joined the main square on Jan Smuts Avenue to the floors above and below, has been sacrificed to make space for Checkers.  The result is that there is no direct route from the upper level and the ground floor (Pronto) to the lower level (Dial-a-Bed, etc).  You have to go via the back parking.

Parking: There are open-air parking bays with plenty of mature trees offering some shade, and security personnel and car guards in the car park.  The is also basement parking off the lower level on Rothesay Avenue.  All parking is free of charge.

Trading Hours: Mainly Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00 (9 am to 5 pm) and Saturday 09:00–13:00 (9 am to 1 pm).  The restaurants and some shops open for longer hours, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Note: Megaplex does not manage the shopping centres listed on this site:  For leasing, compliments and complaints about the this centre, please contact Property Manager - Broll – Germarie Powell: Telephone 087 210 0926, Mobile 066 287 1114: e-mail gpowell@broll.com, The new owners appear to be Cadastral Capital at 083 257 8469.

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Ground Floor, Main Square:  Back to top

Shops are listed clockwise (left to right) as viewed from the entrance of the south (upper) parking area off Jan Smuts Ave, which we've called the Main Square.  Shops from the pharmacy onwards are off the main parking are around the back:

• Liberté: Telephone 010 824 5791, 084 405 9958 – French food and wine. Restaurant and Bakery. French and South African wines with a focus on female winemakers. Contact: Natasha Maciel, Owner: e-mail bookings@liberterestaurant.com;tasha@liberte.com web site
• Pronto Italian Restaurant & Bar: Telephone 011 447 4346 – On the extreme right of the main square (upper Jan Smuts Ave parking). Contact: Natasha: e-mail info@ProntoItalianRestaurant.co.za web site.  Read Restaurant review here
• Vehicle passage to back parking.
• The Local Choice Pharmacy Colony: Telephone 011 327 0300, 064 582 9736, Fax 086 6667 6678 – Full service pharmacy, dispensary and clinic. Serving the Craighall and Hyde Park communities since 1994. Open Mon-Thursday 09:00-18:00. Friday 09:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00, Saturday 09:00-13:00. Contact: Abdul Carim: e-mail colony@thelocalchoice.co.za Group web site
• Checkers: Telephone 011 228 4900 – Supermarket: Groceries, household needs, fresh produce. Open 08:00-19:00 every day/. Contact: Tebogo: e-mail 079495@shoprite.co.za Group web site
• Checkers Liquor – Opening soon.
• Lillie: Telephone 011 325 1278 – Jewellery, gifts. On the back parking area, next to the stairs down to the lower parking. e-mail rb@cdg.co.za Group web site
• Baby City (Shop 19): Telephone 011 442 2920, 011 442 2930, Fax 011 442 2931 – "South Africa's leading Baby Hyper": Everything for baby except baby herself., Open Mon-Fri 8.30–17:00, Sat 8.30–16:00, Sun & PH 9:00–13:00. On the back parking area, near the drive-in entrance from Rothesay Ave. e-mail craighall@babycity.co.za Group web site

First Floor Financial, Medical & General:  Back to top

There are three staircases and a set of lifts to the upper level: There are stairs up, and down to the lower level, and a lift to the right of the driveway through to the back parking (shown above). There is a prominent steel staircase outside Pronto Italian Restaurant.  Finally, on the left next to Liberté there are stairs up to the first floor.

• In Balance Physiotherapy & Pilates: Telephone 011 880 0580, Fax 011 880 5666 – Danielle Grobicki, Physiotherapist, BSc, MSc, Angela Haworth, BSc (Physio) (Wits), Teresa Gabriel, BSc (Physio) (Wits) and Sam Shrosbee, BSc (Physio) (Wits). Open Monday-Friday 07:30-18:00. Contact: Danielle and Sam: e-mail reception@inbalancephysio.co.za web site
• BuXS Financials: Telephone 011 442 2587, 011 442 2589, Fax 011 442 7350 – Bookkeeping, accounting, PAYE, VAT, tax.
• Syon Optometrist: Telephone 011 442 9510 – A W Kruger B.Optom (RAU).FO.SA ,Sportsvision.(UJ), Practice No 070 0000129887. Open 09:00-17:00, Sat 08:30-13:00. In the upper passage from the back parking. Contact: Annemie W Kruger: e-mail syonoptom@mweb.co.za
• Salix Manufacturing Jewellers: Telephone 011 447 3931, 083 264 7261, Fax 0866 517 404 – Open Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00, Saturdays 09:00-13:00. Contact: Renée Collins: e-mail renee@salixjewellers.co.za
• Ampath Trust Pathologists (Suite 210): Telephone 011 442 9446 – Drs Du Buison, Kramer, Swart & Bouwer. Open Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00 and 15:00–17:00.
• Dr Alain Sanua, MD Belgium (Shop S203): Telephone 011 447 0525, 084 284   9755, Fax 086 246 1782 – General Practitioner, Homeopath, Acupuncturist, Functional Medicine, Cosmetic Physician. Herbal Therapy, Hormonal Replacement Therapy, Spinal Adjustments, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Colon Hydrotherapy, Chronic Disease. Contact: Dr Sanua: e-mail alains@telkomsa.net https web site
• Luna Spa (Shop S04): Telephone 010 900 4166, WhatsApp 066 217 4381 – Live better! One hour Thai Oil Aromatherapy massage or Back, Neck and Shoulder or Reflexology R500. Open Monday-Friday 10:00-20:00, Weekends 10:00-17:00. e-mail info@lunaspa.co.za web site
• SA National Blood Service (SANBS): Telephone 011 447 6665 – Be a Modern Hero –Donate Blood! Open Monday 13:00-16:30, Tuesday-Friday 08:30-16:30, Saturday 08:30-13:00. e-mail Group: customerservice@sanbs.org.za Group web site
• Logiscool South Africa: Telephone 082 451 5217 – Globally teach children coding and digital literacy in fun-based after-schools. Courses, Camps, Workshops, Open Days. Contact: Nazly Mayet, Director: e-mail hello.craighall@logiscool.com web site
• Kumon Craighall: Telephone 076 090 9028, 076 090 8028, Fax 086 235 9794 – Maths and English tuition. Discovering the potential of each individual child. Contact: Diane Skinner: e-mail Craighall Kumon@gmail.com Group web site
• Wellness Massage & Therapy (Shop S209A): Telephone 079 070 8848, 079 048 7095 – M-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 09:00-14:00. Chinese massage, herbal oil massage, essential oil massage, foot massage, reflexology, cupping, hot stone treatment, Quasha, ear candling.
• Remake Tile Gallery: Telephone 011 027 5718, 0861 REMAKE, 083 967 8455, Fax 086 247 8045 – Architectural specifications consultants. Floor and wall tiles. Open Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-14:00. Contact: Terence Molver: e-mail enquiries@remake.co.za;terence@remake.co.za web site
• Energy Emporium: Telephone 079 075 0342 – Up the metal staircase left of Baby City. Divination, numerology, mythology, chakra tuning, candles, crystal, signs and symbols, statues of fairies, Buddha's, incense. Open M-F 09:30-18:30, Sat-Sun 09:30-15:30. Contact: Verushka: e-mail verushka@energyemporium.co.za web site
• Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Centre: 073 585 2557, 011 447 2746, 083 678 5956 – Up the metal staircase left of Baby City. Buddha explained that all our problems and suffering arise from confused and negative states of mind, and all our happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful and positive states of mind. These methods work for anyone, in any country, in any age. Moved to The Woods, 345 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park, Randburg. e-mail info@meditation.org.za web site

Lower Level:  Back to top

There are several ways to get to the lower level: (a) Drive in off Jan Smuts Avenue northbound, taking the second parking entrance. (b) From the main parking at the back, walk down the stairs between Checkers Liquor and Baby City. (c) From the main parking at the back, walk alongside Rothesay Avenue, down the stairs next to First Choice Flooring.  Shops are listed clockwise (left to right) as viewed from the north (lower) parking area off Jan Smuts Ave.

• Good Boi Club: Telephone 072 300 5459 – Pet shop. Contact: Inge & Hugh: e-mail info@goodboiclub.co.za
• Standard Bank AutoBank – ATM: Lost ATM Cards 0800 020 600 – on the right of the entrance to the lower passage outside to Dial-a-Bed.
• Dial-a-Bed: Telephone 011 327 2851, Group 086 100 7542, Fax 011 327 2874 – Bed Shop, Mattress Factory. Homeware. Contact: Godfrey Mutheiwana (Branch Manager): web site
• Kiddie Ma Jigs (Craighall Toys & Dress Up): Telephone 011 880 2317 – Parties & Ballet. Selection of toys and games. Winter hours M-F 09:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-13:00. Moved to the bottom parking area. e-mail info@kiddiemajigs.co.za web site
• First Choice Flooring and Décor: Telephone 011 447 5910, 083 607 4949 – Nouwens, Belgotex, Crossley, Warmup, Quick step, Van Dyck carpets. Plastic wooden flooring. On the bottom parking level next to Rothesay Avenue. Contact: Fred Britz: e-mail firstchoice@wol.co.za

Nearby:  Back to top

• Video Spot: Telephone 011 447 1401, 011 447 1414 – DVD hire. Moved up the road to a larger shop in Hyde Park Terrace, 335 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park. Huge new section selling DVDs. Over 35,000 titles. Just hit 40 years. Contact: Steve & Rikki: e-mail thespot@global.co.za
• Craigpark Residents’ Association (CRA) – The CRA, originally formed in 1937 and renamed in the 1970s, is one of the longest established RAs in Joburg. It plays an important and proactive role looking after the interests of residents and businesses in the area. CRA is a registered volunteer organisation and its executive committee and street reps give their time to assist, where they can, over 3 600 property owners in the area. e-mail treasurer@cra.org.za web site
• Builders Express: Telephone 086 000 8989, 082 600 1656 – Rothesay Ave off Jan Smuts Ave right next to The Colony Shopping Centre. Home and garden centre: DIY, pots and plants, braai & patio, paint, hardware, electrical, plumbing, power tools, glass, timber, key cutting. Free local delivery up to 5 km. Open M-F 08:00-18:00, Sat 08:00-16:00, Sun 08:00-14:00. Contact: Nomasonto Langa: e-mail Nomasonto.Langa@builders.co.za Group web site
• Craighall Sports Club 33 Abercorn Avenue: Contact: Andrew Els, Telephone 072 140 1839 – Karate - Andrew Els: 072 140 1839, Biodanza - Lisa Gordon: 082 895 1864, Boot Camp and Coaching for Kids - Liz: 078 886 0936, Bowls - Anselm MacLean: 082 823 7335, Club Bell Athletics - Dean Jones: 083 779 6767, Little Kickers - Sven: 071 036 6635, Pilates - Janine: 082 447 2034, Russian School of Ballet - Yana: 071 179 6394, Soccer Skills Clinics for Boys & Girls - Sean Szabo: 079 607 6101, Tac Fit - Dean Jones: 083 779 6767, Tennis - Michelle: 083 443 3391, Yoga - Yvonne de Bruin: 082 883 7607, Live To Dance (Modern and Tap) - Lindie: 082 555 0327, Country Market every 3rd Saturday - Paulette Malcolm: 082 452 9322.
• Bliss Juicery: Telephone 073 131 4006, 064 084 5612 – Now operating online and delivering via Uber Eats. Fresh juices. Cold pressed juices, superfood smoothies, wellness shots, superfood snacks, juice cleanses. Open Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-13:00. Contact: Suzette: e-mail suzette@blissjuicery.co.za web site
• Shell Hyde Park Gardens Service Station: Telephone 011 447 4430 – Shell Select, Vida e Caffé. Petrol, oil, diesel, air, snacks, coffee, car wash. On William Nicol northbound, just north of Jan Smuts Ave.

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