VAN DER RIET STREET - BURSTING WITH OPPORTUNITY

The popular OCEAN BASKET restaurant on the banks of the Kowie River is still getting rave reviews and a full house almost every night 2 years after opening. IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT IT IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER. So B&Bs and guest houses that don't serve evening meals can send their guests to Ocean Basket knowing that they will get a good meal at a fair price.

Next door to Ocean Basket is DULUX PAINT CITY's new premises - bright and full of exciting decor ideas.  Then there is IPC INDEPENDENT estate agency with very experienced local agent Gill Turner at the helm.

My Pond Hotel next door is also open for meals all weekend. It's an excellent spot for a small copnference or weekend break as it nestles right on the banks of the Kowie River with excellent views of our brilliant bridge.
 
THE COURTYARD goes from strength to strength. FUNKY JUNK is the "anchor tenant" so to speak and here you can find a fantastic selection of wonderful antiques plus a whole host of second-hand goods. Then there is the wonderful EASY LIVING store offering modern furniture, decor items and a curtain-making service.

         
 
ZEST, of course, is the place to be seen. Catch the gossip and enjoy some delicious homemade eats. VOILA is the perfect place to find that elusive gift. The store offers an amazing array of trinkets and temptations to satisfy the most discerning customer. Check out the blissful range of shoes and bags of all colours and designs PLUS the most delightful ranges of goodies for kids, ranging from must-have T-shirts to back backs to gum boots and matching brollies. Next door is The Corner Store selling a wonderful array of locally sourced and made gift items - from tablecloths, to soaps to beautioful writing papers.
Then we mustn't forget BLOOMING BRILLIANCE the fresh-flower outlet in the centre. They sell beautiful blooms and also make up bouquets and gift parcels. They will deliver, too. Completing the Courtyard array of shops is a delightful Greek Deli - very tempting for those who have a yearning for authentic Greek dishes.
 And further down the street…

There is more... At 31 Van Der Riet Street the upstairs floor is occupied by two businesses to keep the ladies of Port Alfred looking and feeling their very best. EQUILIBRIUM HEALTH & BEAUTY SPA offers a fantastic array of treatments and massage therapies and right next door is CURVES where you can complete a whole exercise regime in just 30 minutes. It's fast becoming the place to not only keep fit but to network with like-minded women.

On the other side of the road is QIBLI the gourmet bakery and bistro that serves fresh-from-the-overnpastries all day. On the way in you wander through several rooms packed with  Balinese-sourced furniture, knick knacks and clothing. This shop is a veritabel treausre trove of delightful gifts. A great place to browse.

Fuirther down the road at 38 Van Der Riet Street is Goat Multimedia, our local graphic design and website company. They have just opened up a copy and binding facility. Drop in if you need anything copied, bound, printed, designed, laminated or a fancy new website. info@goat.co.za

LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT OR NEED SOME HELP WITH HR?

Terri Stander's new business HR SOLUTIONS provides services related to the work environment.  This includes domestic employment, corporates, SMME's, farmers, etc. Terri will also undertake Labour Law consulting, Payroll Administration, Recruitment, Organisational Development (e.g. creating a motivated workforce). She's also started an EMPLOYMENT AGENCY arm to her business, something that was definitely needed here. Terri is young, enthusiastic and fairly new to Port Alfred so please give her your support and encouragement. It's great to welcome youthful new entrepreneurs to town. TEL: 083 458 4564. FAX: 086 685 6031

Our iconic "Nico Malan" Bridge has always been a feature of Port Alfred. But In December 2007 it turned into a mega tourist attraction. The bridge has been festooned with strings of LED lights. Truck drivers coming down the hills either side of town often hoot their approval as they pass across. And during weekend and holidays many small craft stop under the bridge at sundowner time to let their passengers enjoy the lights. Robbie Blake - a Marina property owner - is the entrepreneur to thank for this dazzling, one-of-a-kind light show. He contributed not only the lights but his expertise to light up the bridge and afford Port Alfred a superb attraction. He is also the entrepreneur responsible for our lively local radio station KOWIE FM on 99dot zero.

RIVER WILD - FANTASTIC TOURIST ATTRACTION

River Hotels operate the exciting BLACK ROCK RESTAURANT about 11km up the Kowie River. This thatch-roof venue is a winner for weddings, coporate events, birthday parties, and for memorable evenings of wining and dining. You can take your own boat or book to travel - via the Marina canals and then up the river on the Halyards Cruiser or by road via Mansfield Reserve just a few kilometres out of town. The river scenery is spectacular and the birdlife plentiful. Also on offer at Black Rock are game drives or horse rides through the adjacent reserve. There's an attractive garden where children can play and a view deck where guests can enjoy sundowners.

This River Wild package is a wonderful tourist attraction as it affords an opportunity for visitors to experience the splendour of river scenery that all too often they miss.

FOR BOOKINGS OR INFO ABOUT LOCAL SPECIALS TEL: 046 624-3300.

WELCOME ALL NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

Several newcomers to Port Alfred are taking advantage of the building boom by opening new businesses offering homeowners stunning ranges of kitchens, sanitary ware, tiles and carpets and interior-decorating services. They also promise service excellence. It's great to see young entrepreneurs taking the bull by the horns and showing faith in our town. Let's hope they all enjoy huge local support. We can all save the shlep to the cities in search of home requirements and by buying local we'll be encouraging and supporting the youthful contingent in town. 

Also bringing more of a youthful coningent into Port Alfred are Stenden University (hotel management) and A43 Air School (where pilots are trained). Both boast in the region of 300 students at any given time and again their presence adds greatly to the spend in town.