TOPS Somerset West opened its doors to the community it serves with a refreshed new look recently.
Co-owners of KWIKSPAR Somerset, the young entrepreneurs Marcel and Janine Fourie, took over as managing owners in 2016, and Magda Stapelberg joined them soon afterwards.
“Over the past nine years we have learnt much about our Somerset West community, about retail, which has changed dramatically, and had a few kids along the way,” says Janine.
The trio had been contemplating a revamp for a while, and decided the time was right to create something unique to Somerset West. The new-look TOPS is upmarket and carefully curated, yet warm and friendly.
They envisaged the store as a welcoming space for everyone. “‘The girls’ can browse and buy their favourite bubbly, while ‘the guys’ pick their beer up for the game,” Janine adds.
It was important for the owners to involve local talent and suppliers in the revamp. The stunning wallpaper in the white wine and champagne section was painted by Helena Smith and transformed into wallpaper by Groen Wallpapers. Paradiso Flowers crafted the beautiful flower installation above the cashier counter. Lighting, which plays a big role in the ambience of the store, was carefully implemented by Kirsten Electric.
At the re-launch, along with the other suppliers, builders Zedman Construction and shopfitters XP Production were thanked for pulling the project together so quickly.
Together they have created a space that showcases the beautiful wine farms in the area where customers can enjoy tastings at the pink “Boujee Wine Bar”.
“A beautiful space is nothing without dedicated and knowledgeable staff,” says Janine. “Our TOPS team will ensure our customers receive the best service possible and will receive ongoing training on our product range.”
The owners partnered with Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold and her team from Village Collective, an initiative dedicated to revitalising the Somerset West CBD. “We absolutely love their vision for the CBD, and this new TOPS store sets the tone for what’s to come!”
The dynamo team have their sights set on revamping the KWIKSPAR in the near future, a space worth watching.
