To keep carrying on and count the blessings.
This is management’s birthday wish for Helderberg Build & Save, which celebrates a decade of business success.
The basin’s reputable one-stop building-supplies and hardware store is rooted in its humble beginnings as a small corner shop in Athlone, formerly known as Rylands Paint and Hardware, which served the greater Cape Town area.
The proud Suleman family behind the business soon realised an opportunity to expand operations and diversify offerings when the premises in George Street, Strand, became available as the ideal location to set up a bigger and even better shop.
The Sulemans closed up their 200 m² shop with three employees and relocated to Strand, where they reopened the business not only as a leading retailer of hardware goods, but a trusted builder’s merchant offering a wide range of building materials and products. Helderberg Build & Save opened its doors on 20 November 2013.
Fast-forward to the present day, exactly 10 years later next month, and the business boasts exponential growth, second-to-none service and quality products offered at the best prices. “We were truly well received by the ever-supportive Helderberg community, which we hope to continue to be of service to,” said Shameera Suleman.
On a quick trip down memory lane she recalled welcoming customers to the newly opened store as a first-time mom with her newborn in a crib behind the counter.
Shameera, along with husband Zaid and his 73-year-old uncle Shoukat Suleman are at the forefront of operations, holding the reins as management since the family-oriented business was established. Apart from outstanding service by friendly staff, the Suleman business trio pride themselves in their unwavering commitment to offering uncompromised products at unbeatable prices and compassion for the loyal community, which they gladly plough back into at every opportunity by either lending a helping hand or placing their hearts in their pockets.
The power couple expressed renewed gratitude for their continued business success, which includes having expanded their operations to a 2 400 m² premises with the recent addition of a yard and its staff complement to 50. While they continue to strive for greater heights, the Sulemans reckon it is the stark reminder of where they have come from that keeps them humbled in their pursuit of success. This in addition to running a well-oiled machine with well-serviced parts. “We do not have titles, we jump in where needed and work together with our employees as a team to take us to another 10 years,” said Shameera.
Helderberg Build & Save also boasts two staffers who have journeyed alongside the Sulemans. They are Moosa Antoni, who moved to the Helderberg with the business owners and has been part of the business for nearly two decades, and Desmond Wood, who has been employed at Helderberg Build & Save since its establishment and has worked himself up from general store assistant to management’s right-hand and go-to man.
The Sulemans extend a massive “thank you” to the community for its ongoing support, without which their success would not have been possible.
Helderberg Build and Save’s birthday celebrations include treating customers to great deals and jovial, festive shopping experiences on Saturday 4 and 11 November.
