Words: Tivania Moodley | Images: Supplied
The Weylandts’ brand has become synonymous with simplistic, contemporary and beautiful furniture. Chris Weylandt took over the reins from his father to grow the legacy of making beautiful living easy. He tells us more about their latest addition to the Weylandts brand in Ballito.
How did your business start?
My father opened a traditional furniture store in Windhoek in 1964, the same year I was born. After studying in Cape Town, I got interested in how the business was run. This led to our first manufacturing plant in Namibia in 1992 and in Cape Town in 1996. In this time, I travelled widely to source unique furniture and establish Weylandts’ unique combination of clean, contemporary design and the raw beauty of natural material. In 1999, I opened the first Weylandts retail store in Durbanville and from there we’ve grown. Today we have 11 stores nationwide with Ballito being our latest retail store.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
Our newest store is at the Lifestyle Centre in Ballito. The North Coast is developing at a fast pace and the Lifestyle Centre is well-positioned to service that area. The lifestyle and type of customer in the area is also a great fit for our brand.
How did you find your premises?
We’d been looking into the viability of opening a Weylandts retail operation in Ballito for over two years. After exploring various standalone destination sites along the N2, we were approached by Bruce Rencken, owner of the recently revamped Lifestyle Centre. We were very impressed by what Bruce had created over a short period of time. There was a definite synergy between the centre’s new-look offering and our brand.
Why are they ideally suited to your business?
The Ballito Lifestyle Centre has a good energy and is located in a good spot. It’s easily accessed from the M4 and N2. Importantly, it caters to the specific, laid-back lifestyle of the people in the area.
Who are your neighbours?
Scarla May Nail and Body Bar and the Katmandu restaurant.
What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area?
Compared to bigger cities, it’s very competitive. As a national brand, getting into a smaller emerging market like this is a great opportunity.
How many people go through your store each day?
As the store has just opened on Saturday, 1 September, we’re hoping to see as many clients as possible as the word spreads of our opening.
Do you have any expansion plans?
Yes, we’ll be opening a store in PE in November.
Do you operate online as well?
Yes, our online store went live on 15 June. It’s an exciting new way of doing business. It doesn’t replace the tactile experience of visiting one of our unique stores, but it’s aligned with our strategy for the future.
What’s your most popular item?
The Marconi sofa has been one of our most iconic, and most popular sofas. It’s bold, it’s unique and it’s an effortless combination of clean design and organic beauty.
Weylandts Ballito
087 820 1444
weylandts.co.za
