A brand new branch of Haefelis has opened at the recently renovated food court in Chisipite. The new food court was opened to the public on 21st September this year with the official opening being held on 26th September. Chisipite Shopping Centre has recently been undergoing a bit of a well needed upgrade as the once popular suburban centre had become a bit run down. Vendors were overrunning the centre and had set up a chaotic market for everything from fresh food stuff to crafts and even outdoor furniture. It had become a very popular pick up and drop off point for taxis and buses which disrupted local traffic.
To top it off, City of Harare had been facing serious challenges with regular rubbish collections. Several shops, including the Food Court, had either closed or moved out. The revival of the Shopping Centre has been a long and sometimes difficult process. Some more formal vending stalls have been built and the market has been tidied up a little, although it’s still busy and vibrant. Efforts by the shop owners, local businesses, and the community have helped to improve the waste management problem. The most recent example is the Clean Up campaign, sponsored by Kennan Properties, held on the 20th of September this year.
Through corporate sponsorship the traffic roundabout on Enterprise Road has also been cleaned up and planted with waterwise plants and there are changing displays in the centre. The current display is large pink ribbon to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. But by far the biggest improvement in the area is the much welcomed reopening of the food court. The food court had been closed for a number of years as the owners, Simbisa Brands, found it unviable to operate during the turbulent years of hyper-inflation. Now, as an expression of Simbisa’s confidence in our future, Simbisa has embarked on upgrading most of their existing outlets, as well as reviving the once popular food court in Chisipite – this time bigger and better than before!
The biggest and best improvement is, no doubt, the inclusion in the food court of well loved brand Haefelis – together with Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and Creamy Inn. Haefelis offers Chisipite shoppers and residents a new and exciting addition to Harare’s rapidly growing ‘Café Culture’. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends and family or have a quick business meeting. They have a fantastic range of coffees, teas and juices, as well as fresh and delicious cakes and pasties. If you are feeling a bit more hungry you can choose from a selection of sandwiches and baguettes, burgers, chicken dishes, steak rolls and even salads – if you’re watching your figure.
And the breakfasts are simply amazing too – you can choose from all the usual bacon and eggs options as well as three different kinds of omelettes, muffins, and fruit salad and yoghurt if you’re more health conscious. Haefelis first opened years ago as a family run business in Bulawayo. The Italian family also owned Di Bella Bakery, famous for their milk bread and other delicacies like their celebrated “Cake of a Thousand Leaves’. Di Bella and Haefelis were very successful and well loved by both Bulawayo residents and visitors. Haefelis became part of the Simbisa stable of brands in 1995 and continued to be so popular that Simbisa opened a second branch in Victoria Falls in 2008The decor of the original Haefelis was somewhat quirky – informal and homely. Simbisa modernised the Bulawayo branches’ image in 2016 to bring the brand more in line with Simbisa’s other updated brands.
While the Chisipite branch is brand new the décor (by architectural and design firm Pattichides) still retains a warm and friendly atmosphere that’s both classy and relaxed – and it still has a few quirky touches. Sections of the floor have been tiled with blue and white patterned tiles that recall old Italian homes and LED lights on the ceiling twinkle like stars. The seating is a mix of different options – something like you’d find in a family home – with wooden backed and upholstered tub chairs, sofas, benches and lounge chairs. Walls are papered in bold red or with red, black and white graphics. Then there’s the glass deli counters displaying a mouth watering range of pastries and cakes. Both table service and take out options are available and the staff are young, friendly and welcoming. So if you haven’t been there yet you should!
text by Michael Nott
photos by Michele Fortman
