Deo Volente - Crawl #30 Revisited

For those of you who are regular readers of this blog you're aware that the last two "Revisits" we've done are shops #20 and #21.  Now the Crawlers have jumped to Revisit #30.  As I was going through my notes to see which coffee shop was next in the queue to revisit, I flipped through page after page of notes on shops that have closed since our first visits in 2011.  So, before I get started with this week's feature coffee shop, I'll go down the list of coffee shop closures.
 
   #22 - live Eat. love on Centenary Rd. in Lorraine (July, 2011 post) - closed
   #23 - Cafe Ro-Ann on Villiers Rd. in Walmer (July, 2011 post) - closed
   #24 - Urban Blend on 3rd Ave. in Newton Park (July, 2011 post) - closed
   #25 - High Tea @ Pixel on Main Rd. in Walmer (July, 2011 post) - closed
   #26 - La Velle @ the Beachfront (Aug, 2011 post) now Angelo's
   #27 - Kids Who Care Coffee Shop (Aug, 2011 post) - this was a once off school fund raiser
   #28 - Lavender's Courtyard Cafe on Clevedon Rd. in Richmond Hill (Aug, 2011 post) - closed
   #29 - EAT on Main Rd. in Walmer (Aug, 2011 post) - closed

Finally, when I got to coffee shop #30, Deo Volente (see Sept, 2011 post), I found that it is still open and offering food and beverages to PE patrons six days a week.  YAY!

Meet Staff Member Ester

Meet the Barista
Manny

Owner Margie Peel opened Deo Volente in February, 2009 at 29 5th Ave. in Newton Park but has since moved down the street to 37 5th Ave.  There you will find friendly staff members Ester and Manny ready to serve up breakfast, lunch, cakes and Pavin brand coffee.  Deo Volente is a small coffee shop with a country decor set in a quiet neighborhood....perfect for a nice relaxing morning with friends.

Deo Volente seats about 25 inside, plus there is room for 5-6 more on the patio.  The shop's hours are Mon-Fri, 7-4; Sat, 8-2; closed on Sunday.  Call 041 364 0531 for take aways.

As Crawl groups go lately, Thursday's (May 15) was relatively small with Crawlers Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne (the birthday girl), Sylvia  Mynhardt, Nicolette Hijmans, Margaret Marshall, Margaret Zoetmulder, Lee Rodwell, Pierrette De Winne, Janny Meierink, joining me.  The Deo Volente Crawl was the first one post Easter/US trip for us.  We had another Crawl on May 22 which I will post later but for now, I'm headed out again, this time to explore more of  this beautiful country.  Lou and I will be spending the next few weeks on a road trip; we expect to be back in mid June.  Perhaps we'll come across some cool coffee shops along the way!

This Week's Crawlers
Margaret M., Sylvia, Stella, Gail, Lee,
Margaret Z., Pierrette, Beryl
not pictured - Janny and Nicolette

~Thank you to Ester and Manny for a wonderful revisit
~Happy Birthday to my brother, Chuck, in Erie, PA - June 17

Until mid June,

Ellen

Samaritans Teas and Gifts

Samaritans has been acknowledged for their good deeds in The Herald

Just before Lou and I left for the States in April the Crawlers changed things up a bit and met on a Wednesday rather than our usual Thursday morning.  We have been meaning to visit Samaritans Teas and Gifts for quite some time now but this coffee/gift shop is only open on Wednesdays from 10-2 so I had to wait for a Wednesday morning to free up in my schedule.  Finally, when I saw I had a free Wednesday,  I made a booking with the lovely ladies at Samaritans, and off the Crawlers trekked to the 11th Ave. coffee shop.

Samaritans is located at 12 - 11th Ave. in Walmer, right on the corner of 11th and Main.  It has been open for twenty years and is in the business of raising funds that are distributed to numerous local charities.  All workers at the coffee shop are volunteers, as are the talented people whose hand made crafts are for sale in the gift shop.  The profits from the coffee and gift shops go directly to PE charities.

Margaret, Noelene, and Lorraine are three of
the volunteers at Samaritans on Wednesday mornings.

Crawlers June Nash, Leanne Waller, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Sylvia Mynhardt, Colleen LeRoux, Nomusa Nkomo, Vicki Minnaar, Lee Rodwell, Gail Darne, Beth Vieira, Margaret Zoetmulder, Nicolette Hijmans met on Wednesday, April 16 at Samaritans, where a meal-of-the-day, other light meal selections, cakes and beverages are offered at "way more than reasonable" prices!  So reasonable, in fact, that many of the Crawlers not only ordered a second round of Eduscho brand coffee but seconds on the delicious, homemade cakes as well.  I believe even a few ordered some for take-away, too!  So I have to put in a few extra hours at the gym....it's all for a good cause!

This Week's Crawlers
Gail, Margaret, June, Stella, Beryl, Sylvia,
Lee, Colleen, Vicki, Nicolette, Nomusa
not pictured - Beth and Leanne

Samaritans seats approximately fifty patrons inside and outside combined.  Plenty of off-street parking is available on 11th Ave.  Because the shop is open just one day a week and for only four hours, booking a table in advance (especially for a "large" group) is highly recommended.  Call:  041 368 3390 to reserve your table for next Wednesday....delicious food, excellent coffee, and service with a smile awaits you at Samaritans......and all the while you'll be supporting PE charities!

~Thank you to all of the volunteers at Samaritans for your hard work and dedication for the benefit of PE
   charities!
~Happy Birthday to my grandson, Alex, in Cleveland, TN - May 19
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Les Baldwin - May 22
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Nomusa Nkomo - May 23
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Nicolette Hijmans - May 24
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Keith de Beer - May 27

Until next week,

Ellen

Sandy"s Kitchen - Crawl #20 Revisited

Yes, the PE Coffee Crawl is still alive  and well, up and running.  Due to an unexpected trip to the States I'm waaaaaaay behind on my Crawl posts but, bear with me folks, I'll catch up soon!

In my April 15 post on Bocadillos (Revisit #21) I mentioned that I would address our shop #20 Revisit at a later date.  Well, that day has arrived so, as promised, here goes....

Back in June, 2011 ten Crawlers visited Elyon's, located at 8 High St. in Mt. Pleasant.  Shortly after our Crawl there Elyon's closed.  In the years since then I noticed a few businesses have opened and closed at the High St address.  Just in time for our Revisit #20, though, a new coffee shop has opened on the premises.

Sandy's Kitchen, owned and operated by Sandy Louw, "un-officially" opened its doors for business for our Coffee Crawl on April 10, 2014.  The official opening was actually planned for Monday, April 14...... thank you so much, Sandy, for accommodating us....and on very short notice!!!

Meet the Owner and Barista
Sandy Louw

Sandy's Kitchen is a bright and sunny yet cozy little place with a country decor which offers home-cooked meals for eat-in or take-away seven days a week.  (Does this mean I'll never have to cook again?)  Sandy's also features Masterton's coffee as the perfect accompaniment for the freshly baked cakes of the day.  A special Sunday lunch is served as well....booking is recommended.  Sandy's Kitchen seats approximately 24 patrons who can avail themselves of the shop's off-street parking.

In supporting local business people, owner Sandy Louw has on display for sale: jams, preserves, honey, a variety of garden pots, and pottery provided by PE entrepreneurs.  So, PE residents....make a trip up to Mt. Pleasant, try out the new coffee shop in town and pick up some great local products while you're there!

Sandy's Kitchen's hours are Mon-Sat, 8-7; Sunday, 8-2.  Call:  084 642 7705 for advance orders, take-aways or to make a reservation.

This Week's Crawlers
Lee, Fran, June, Colleen, Nomusa,
Cayle, Margaret Z.

More of this week's Crawlers
Beryl, Stella, Margaret M., Arthur, Beth, Pierrette

So, joining me on April 10 to celebrate the opening of PE's newest coffee shop were Crawlers Lee Rodwell, Fran de Beer, June and Cayle Nash, Colleen Le Roux, Nomusa Nkomo, Margaret Zoetmulder, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Pierrette De Winne, Margaret and Arthur Marshall.  As we were Sandy's very first customers we had no idea what to expect.  I am pleased to report that we were all greeted, seated, and served with friendliness and professionalism.  Then, once our first round was delivered Sandy and her staff came out to chat with us at the tables, making us feel welcomed and quite at home.  Kudos for a great "opening day," Sandy!  The Crawlers and I wish you all the best with your new business venture!

~Thank you to Sandy and Staff for opening a few days in advance for the PE Coffee Crawlers!
~Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Crawler Kathy Roppel - May 5
~Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Crawler Celeste Hudson - May 8
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Vicki Minnaar - May 1
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Gail Darne - May 15

Until next week,

Ellen