Café Society a growing trend in Sandton CBD
01 December 2021

As one of Johannesburg’s busiest business hubs, Sandton is a key destination for both local and international business and leisure travellers. As the number of visitors to the area has grown, the term Café Society has also become more prominent.

Maury Henry Biddle Paul is credited with coining the phrase "café society" in 1915. It was his generalised description for the "Beautiful People" and "Bright Young Things" who gathered in New York, Paris and London’s fashionable cafés and restaurants in the late 19th century. Johannesburg’s shopping and business capital, Sandton, now lines up next to these famous cities.

And statistics back this up. Despite COVID-19, retail complexes in Sandton are reporting luxury sales surpassing 2019 levels by 88% in May 2021.

One of the establishments that has harnessed this trend and brought it to life, is tashas at The MARC. A welcome escape from the busy streets, tashas The MARC has become a go-to destination for business and leisure visitors to the area.

The elegance of Café Society plays out in this off-street store – Alexandra Ross created the art for the walls, resulting in a space which reflects the artists and poets of New York and Paris. The centrepiece, a giant chandelier by Elonah O’Neil, adorns the ceiling as a tribute to blank canvas for the imagination.

Purveyors of this Café Society, and one of the owners of tashas The MARC, Peter Otto, has been with Tashas Group 16 years – since the brand opened its first location in Atholl. Their team embodies the tashas philosophy of food made using the freshest ingredients, guaranteed great service, in a beautiful space. Both have an incredible passion for the business and its customers and are actively involved in the day-to-day management and running of the shop, alongside a team of 28 team members.

Several staff members have also been with the group for almost, and some for over a decade, including Prince Mpofu (10 years), Sibonisiwe Mlalazi (12 years), Sibongile Khumalo (12 years) and Thembeni Mpofu (9 years).

And what do Café Society members choose to eat? “Our top selling dishes off the Classic menu have always been the Classic Breakfast and the Savva’s Chicken Pasta. From our Signature menu, the Greek Lamb Sandwich and the Slow Cooked Lamb Rigatoni remain firm favourites,” says Peter.

tashas The Marc is located at: Shop LR 28, The Marc Shopping Centre, Cnr Rivonia & Maude, Sandton, Gauteng.

Contact them on: +27 10 534 6293.