Darlings of the South win the Service Excellence Award
Owners of Just Darling, Gareth, and Abigail Dow, along with Marianne and Colin Leeson, are over the moon to have been placed in the Top 100 Coffee Shops in South Africa out of 2 000 nominees.
CONGRATULATIONS to Just Darling (Mall of the South) for winning the Service Excellence Award at the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) Coffee Shop Awards for 2019.
Owners of Just Darling, Gareth, and Abigail Dow, along with Marianne and Colin Leeson, are over the moon to have been placed in the Top 100 Coffee Shops in South Africa out of 2 000 nominees.
The CHRONICLE caught up with Gareth and Abigail and we took a look back to when their coffee shop first began.
“We first opened Just Darling at the Berry Farm out in Walkerville in 2013, where we also ran the berry picking on the farm.
“To be honest, no one really thought we’d make a go of it being so far out in the ‘sticks’, but once a few regulars knew about us they told their families and friends and we became a popular outing for those from ‘town’, so to speak.
“During the berry season, we were actually packed and our cups of coffee and our delicious scones with cream and jam became a weekend treat for many,” they said.
Going places
Just Darling was growing, but they both wanted something more and when they heard about a new mall going up in the South, their interest piqued.
“Mall of the South was in the process of being built and a few meetings later and lots of discussions between us and my mom and dad (Marianne and Colin), we applied for a store in the mall together with our investors.
“We were very positive of a good outcome, but when we received the news we’d got a spot, we were thrilled and began designing our coffee shop to be ready for the opening in September 2015.”
Would you say the rest is history?
“Good gracious no! We worked many hours to get the coffee shop ‘just’ right and pondered over furnishings and colours. We knew from when we were out at the berry farm our furnishings and the subdued colours were perfect, but we weren’t too sure whether they would work in a mall.
“As the shop took shape, we knew they were absolutely the right choice and when our doors opened and our first customers came in, they loved the décor.
“The next few months we all worked extremely hard and with our wonderful staff complement, some came with us from the berry farm, and the new staff, we all got to know and appreciate our regular and new customers.
“In more recent times, we have grown and we sell our coffees to other coffee shops and restaurants as well as hotels, wedding venues and corporates and we have opened in corporate branches, selling coffee and light snacks.
“Our corporate branches are in Sandton in Alice Lane and Rivonia Road, and in a large office park in Bedfordview.
“Our growth has been manageable and for us this definitely is the best. We have never wanted to grow too quickly, our success has been in quality and personal service and that remains important to us. Franchising is a possibility, but we’ll be very cautious before doing this,” added Abigail and Gareth.
How it works
“Gareth is the coffee guy, barista and roaster, while I’m in charge of the menus and everything that goes on in the kitchen.
“Colin and Marianne help with the daily management of the coffee shop and are our admin engine, and our front staff (waitrons) keep our customers happy.
“When we won the award, apart from us all going crazy with joy, the kitchen staff got to join in the celebrations too.
“The kitchen staff do not get to see the smiles of our customers as the fruit of their labour, so this award was big for them.”
Family time
Gareth and Abigail have two young boys, who most definitely keep them on their toes.
“Retail can be tough on a young family, but by God’s grace we have managed to keep a balance for the boys.
“We start our mornings early so we can enjoy time as a family after school is done. Our afternoons together are priceless and I have the opportunity to spend quality time with them,” said Abigail.
“Gareth comes home and it’s like – ‘here’s dad guys’, and the two of them run out to greet him. Family is precious.”
When they have a few hours to relax, Gareth enjoys playing the guitar and running and Abigail has fun with the boys.
Just Darling, chosen because darling simply means, adored, loved, favourite and cherished, has crept into many of its customers’ hearts and quite honestly, a cup of coffee here is like enjoying a relaxing hour.
“Thank you to all our loyal customers for your support, without you we wouldn’t have come so far. Here’s to many more coffees, breakfasts and lunches together.”
