It was interesting to receive a media release earlier this week, announcing that SCHOON (de Companje) belonging to Fritz Schoon is to move out of its existing building on Church Street in Stellenbosch, to an as yet undisclosed new location, and that Boschendal moved into the building on Wednesday.The media release, issued by SCHOON, is vague about Boschendal’s plans with the building, located on the corner of Church and Bird Streets in a tourist-rich part of the student city. The release states: ‘The building is now changing hands and becoming an exciting part of the Boschendal wine and food stable‘. It can be assumed that Boschendal will open a restaurant, serving its wines, from the following quote attributed to its CEO Rob Lundie: ‘We are looking forward to continuing the great business and hospitality that Fritz and Chanelle have built on a foundation of serving and selling naturally produced and artisan food. We certainly won’t be messing with a successful formula, and Stellenbosch locals can expect to continue enjoying their favorite foods and flavours at De Oudebank (the previous name of SCHOON)’.
The media release also announces that Boschendal will take over the management of SCHOON from this week onwards, but that the business will close at the end of July, and will be rebranded, with a new restaurant concept to be introduced, one can assume.
Fritz started Oude Bank Bakkerij in 2010, at the back of its current building, and grew into the front section over time, selling fresh fruit and vegetables, artisanal coffees and ice creams, and had a butchery at one time too. It has been famous for its award-winning artisanal bakery, and for its innovative breakfasts and lunches, which one orders by ingredient, excluding items one does not want to eat, one paying only for what has been ordered, a concept copied by many since. The name changed to SCHOON de Companje over time.
It is not specified where the Schoons will open their new business, which will ‘produce quality food that improves the wellbeing of their customers’, or when. They are currently taking a break, and preparing for a new addition to the family.
The release promises that SCHOON ‘is set to become a platform where people can create positive change through quality food production’. The new venture will raise the bar in delivering ‘more world-class quality products’. Fritz says: ‘We love food, farming, and production. It’s our calling and we have dedicated our lives to it. Our customers have given purpose to our lives through their co fibrous support. They stick with us through the good times and the challenging times. And there were plenty of both. We cannot thank them enough for this, from the bottom of our heart’. The release reassures local SCHOON customers that they are not saying goodbye but that they are ‘moving on to bigger and better things for SCHOON and its loyal customers’.
SCHOON and Boschendal have had a long-standing relationship, the latter supplying fresh vegetables for the SCHOON restaurant. Both companies believe in produce sustainability.
SCHOON, www.schoon.co.za Twitter: @DeCompanje Instagram: @decompanje
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein
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