The Pantry

WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Jan Ras

The Pantry has souped up Joburg’s retail scene, and kicked the concept of a garage store into overdrive.

Only in Joburg would a garage shop be the hottest new spot in town. Thanks to the Marble Group’s latest offering, the boys in their Lambos can pull in to fill up – and grab some fresh sourdough, a bottle of Cinsault and a ceramic platter while they’re at it.

Situated on Jan Smuts Avenue in the Trumpet Building (below Marble restaurant), The Pantry is a forecourt convenience store gone wild. Having replaced a service garage and tyre shop that had been mothballed for some years, it is now buzzing with an array of 6 000 fancy food brands and fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, deli treats, homeware – and even fine wine.

As with its older siblings Saint and Zioux restaurants, for the design of The Pantry, Marble Group interior decorator Irene Kyriacou partnered with GRID and Reddeco. To create the 1 000m2 garage space, the team used shades of green, laser-cut wooden trellises, and Wolkberg cement tiles on the facade of the kitchen. Curved lines, cork-covered edges and terrazzo counters give the space a Mid-century feel.

READ MORE: Sandton Restaurant: Saint

“Because we are underneath a building, it was quite a dark space,” says Irene of the overhang of undulating wooden slats and foliage that’s been added to the forecourt. “The wood ceiling softens the space and draws your eyes in.”

In the homeware section, Irene selected items made exclusively for Marble and Saint. These range from servers and salad bowls to crystal glasses and cutlery. Items from much-loved South African homeware brands also feature, so expect Rialheim platters and vases, Okra candles, and 100%-cotton table linen by African Jacquard. “Everything in the store has been selected to either be used with your purchases, in your home or as a beautiful gift,” says Irene.

And don’t forget a little something for your car – Sasol provides petrol and diesel, as well as an electric charging option courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.

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