Like one of the banners said: “Kom vir die koffie, bly vir die vibe.” And honestly, that summed up Monte Rosa’s Pop-Up Shop perfectly.
Friday gave us one of those beautiful Cape Town days, sunshine, good food, plenty of conversation and a very special setting at the foot of Table Mountain.
From the moment you arrived at Monte Rosa, you were welcomed with smiles from the security guard and Monte Rosa staff. Then came the first surprise: the refreshed garden at the entrance, followed by the newly renovated function area inside.
If you had walked through this space earlier this year, you might have had to look twice! The fresh olive-green walls, beautiful table décor and sunlight pouring into the room have completely transformed it. What was once simply a space is becoming a place where people want to gather and connect.
Monte Rosa’s residents were part of the day too, with some joined by family members. Tables were filled with happy faces, conversation and people spending time together. We even saw local businesses popping in to support the event.
And then there was the food… Feedem once again outdid themselves. Cakes, sweet treats, hot meals and all sorts of delicious options filled the tables, the hardest part was deciding what to choose. Perhaps the safest strategy was simply one of each!
Of course, no pop-up would be complete without a little treasure hunting! Clothes to Good brought along pre-loved clothing, jewellery, toys and more, giving visitors the chance to enjoy some good old-fashioned thrifting.
There was even a little From Paper to Possibilities business happening between the coffee and cake! Members of the Badisa Marketing Team met with our Conference & AGM MC and entertainer, Charles Tertiens, to prepare for 9 September. We’re so grateful to Charles for making the time to join us, and he even got a short tour of Monte Rosa’s incredible historic home. We can’t wait to see him again on 9 September at Willowbridge.
This event was the result of real teamwork, a Badisa programme working alongside Head Office, partners, neighbours, local businesses, families and the wider community. It was a reminder of the power of people coming together around a shared space and a shared purpose.
A big well done to Monte Rosa Manager Pieter, his team, Feedem and Sonja Basson for the tremendous effort that went into preparing the space and making the day such a success.
This beautiful historic Victorian home, dating back to 1885, is really beginning to bloom again. And we are excited to see what comes next for this special home for the elderly in Gardens, Cape Town.
