Words: Rose Mullan
Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton has announced the launch of Merchants on the Square, a temporary mixed tenant retail space that will be on the square from the 24th of July until the end of October this year.
Photo credit: DO IT NOW Media
The pop up retail space will launch with four current Nelson Mandela Square tenants in a crafted space that reflects the Centre’s renowned exclusivity and combines it with an industrial atmosphere. Tailored containers will house the participating tenants for the duration. Each container will be specifically fitted and crafted to the tenants needs. The temporary retail space is designed to complement and blend into the backdrop of refurbishment process currently underway.
Throughout the three months, the merchants trading on the square will change periodically to host a combination of current tenants, guest tenants and new retail brands confirmed to trade once the Centre’s refurbishment has been completed. In addition, various activations and entertainment will take place at Merchants on the Square at regular intervals over the three-month period.
‘Merchants on the Square provides the opportunity for our tenants affected by the refurbishment process to continue to trade and service their regular patrons. At the same time it provides Nelson Mandela Square with an opportunity to showcase new retail brands and allows them to connect with our customers whilst the area undergoes its rejuvanation,’ says Julie Hillary, General Manager for Nelson Mandela Square.
To find out more about Merchants on the Square and the brands trading over the three-month period follow Nelson Mandela Square on Facebook www.facebook.com/nelsonmandelasquare or visit www.nelsonmandelasquare.co.za. Merchants on the Square forms part of Centre’s extensive refurbishment that is set to be completed towards the end of 2015.
Launch tenants:
· Hard Rock Café :The visually stunning and heritage rich spaces Hard Rock Café have created in over 192 locations around the world have set a new standard for bars and cafes. Now popping up as concept store for two weeks in Nelson Mandela Square means you’ll be able grab merchandise and food: From the Iconic Hard Rock Tee’s to what got them started in the first place - the very best burgers.
· GratiAE: GratiAE’s namesake is an ancient Roman mineral spring meaning “the three graces”: beauty, charm and fertility. The brand reflects this with organic products created using mineral rich water from the actual spring famed for its therapeutic, rejuvenative and curative properties which you can sample with personal demonstrations and treatments in a pop-up on Nelson Mandela.
· Butcher Shop: The only thing the Butcher Shop takes more seriously than its rare and limited edition wines is as the name suggests: its hand selected and well matured cuts of meat. Biltong and wine will be paired in the concept store at Nelson Mandela square.
· Union Bar: The Union Bar has appeared and disappeared many times around Jo’burg since 2012. It’s made a name for itself with original and innovative concepts behind every new venue and artisan cocktail menu. This time it’s in Nelson Mandela Square serving a trip down memory with the “The Best of The Union” Menu.
