Helderberg shoppers flocked to cash in on opening specials and experience luxury shopping at the brand-new Paardevlei Centre in Somerset West at the weekend.
The centre, which officially opened its doors last Thursday (23 May), features a Checkers supermarket, Checkers Outdoor, Petshop Science, Liquorshop and stand-alone Medirite Plus.
Through these shops the Shoprite Group has created 144 new jobs in the Helderberg basin.
Situated in Paardevlei Lifestyle Estate, the brand-new shopping centre pays homage to the site’s industrial heritage, dating back to the turn of the 19th century.
The retailer has carefully preserved various heritage buildings, including the carpenter shop, the old locomotive shed that now houses Checkers Outdoor and the machine shops that have been integrated into the supermarket’s footprint.
Along with the perfectly preserved fireless locomotive and dynamite carriage dating back to 1909, Checkers has incorporated replicas of 10 rare lamps – that resemble lighting used as far back as 1899 – into the development as tangible links to the estate’s past.
“We deeply value our responsibility as stewards of this historic site and have therefore tastefully retained some of the old industrial character while embracing a contemporary store design, offering customers a unique shopping experience that merges history with modern convenience,” said Willem Hunlun, chief operating officer of Checkers.
The Checkers Paardevlei supermarket will be managed by Somerset West resident Ashley Gibbons, who has been employed by the group for more than 10 years.
