Fountains Mall has brought a modern edge to the small town of Jeffreys Bay, since its opening 13 years ago. Joané Azenha spoke to Sonja Allsop, General Manager of Fountain’s Regional Mall to find out what the past 13 years has been like for them.
Residents will remember the happy event and excited chatter on the topic of the new mall when it was being built.
After the opening of the mall, locals no longer had to go to Gqeberha to do their monthly shopping and finally had a place to pass the time on rainy days.
Let us start at the beginning: when did the Fountains Mall open and what was the initial vision for the construction of a regional mall in Jeffreys Bay?
Since opening its doors on October 23, 2008, the 40 000m² Fountains Regional Mall has been offering much more than just retail shopping to the residents of Jeffreys Bay.
It provides a unique shopping experience to customers, which was previously unknown in the area.
It also created many jobs, and currently employs more than 500 permanent staff, which increases during December peak season when casual staff members temporarily join the team.
Today the mall is ideally situated for ease of access and convenience off the N2 highway en route to Jeffreys Bay.
Home to more than 70 stores, the mall provides top brands from both the local and national markets.
The mall is anchored by Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Game and Dis-Chem and offers specialty stores, restaurants and an entertainment gaming venue, Bingo Royale.
What has the Fountains Mall offered the Kouga region over the years and what does it offer at present?
Fountains Regional Mall is aimed not only at being a pioneer in offering convenience shopping to the residents of Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay and the greater Kouga region, but also in offering marketing and retail opportunities to local and national brands to showcase their products in the exhibition areas throughout the mall.
With over 1 500 parking bays, of which a number are allocated to the physically disabled and senior citizens, the mall strives to make a shopping experience at the mall welcoming, easy, and comfortable for all its visitors.
Community involvement is one of the main focus areas of the mall and by supporting the local schools with various giveaways and competitions, sponsoring local sporting and business events and by hosting the annual Trans Baviaans MTB and Fountains Mall Rally, the mall actively partakes in the day-to-day activities of its surrounding community.
The Fountains Mall is celebrating its 13th birthday this October, and you have decided to celebrate it as your “Lucky 13th.” Please elaborate for us.
We all know that the COVID-19 lockdown and the various levels of lockdown in the last year were tough on retail in general.
We have been in the fortunate position that since January 2021, we were approached by various national tenants, as well as smaller line shops, and are almost fully let, with 13 new leases either finalised or in the process of being finalized; hence the reason for our “Lucky 13th Birthday” this year.
The list of new stores – Mooi Kamer Bistro, Mr Price Sport, Whale Coast, Quality Persian Rugs, Twee Vellies, Hearing Aid Labs, Refinery, Vape-Tec, Bubbles and Boho – to mention a few.
Watch this space for the next stores to open.
How will you celebrate your 13th birthday?
We will host our first ever car boot sale on October 30, from 09:00 until 13:00 at our delightful Werf Area, the entrance being next to Clicks, left from Pick n Pay.
Our wish is for the community to celebrate with us and we are planning an eventful sunny morning with entertainment for the public.
- For more info visit www.fountainsmall.co.za or contact centre management on 042 200 2900.
