Post by L Roebuck on May 17, 2006 8:22:24 GMT -5
Unique cave restaurant fails to find buyer, off market
By Athane Scholtz Garden Route Reporter
South Africa’s Only Restaurant In A Cave, Kaaiman’s Grotto Near Wilderness, Which Had Been Up For Sale Since The Beginning Of The Year, Has Been Withdrawn From The Market After Its Owners Could Not Find A Suitable Buyer.
The unique venue, situated below the N2 on the seaside cliffs at the Kaaiman’‘s River Mouth, was put up for sale for R2,2-million.
It can be reached only by train track and attracts thousands of visitors each year. One of the largest venues on the Garden Route, it has become especially popular as a functions venue.
Kaaiman’s Grotto managing director Johan Coetzee said he and his co-directors had received a few offers, but none was satisfactory.
“We have decided to keep the Grotto, but make some changes so that we can continue with our other interests.
“We have appointed a manager and will be making some changes to the venue within the next few weeks. We will relaunch our product under new management next month.” The restaurant continues to operate as a venue for large functions.
In January, Coetzee said he wanted to retire while the directors wanted to pursue their other tourism business interests.
Originally started to fulfil the need for a seaside night venue, Kaaiman’s Grotto has been operating since 2002.
Coetzee and his son-in-law, Pieter Myburgh, came across the cave while they were moving their tour operating business from Johannesburg to the Garden Route.
After months of environmental assessment studies, the installation of toilets and temporary electricity, the Kaaiman’s Grotto had its first big function in October, 2002.
Since then the cave floor has been decked out and permanent electricity has been installed.
The venue, which can seat between 160 and 270 people depending on requirements, has played host to weddings, major product launches and conferences. The 65-metre deep, 12-metre wide and 13-metre high cave is considered a versatile venue, comfortably adapting to black tie events and informal braai evenings, and much more in between.
“It also has very good acoustics and is perfect for small theatre and music evenings.” A wooden deck outside the cave looks down on the crashing seas at the mouth of the Kaaiman’s River. A wooden staircase leads down to a tiny beach.
The Herald
By Athane Scholtz Garden Route Reporter
South Africa’s Only Restaurant In A Cave, Kaaiman’s Grotto Near Wilderness, Which Had Been Up For Sale Since The Beginning Of The Year, Has Been Withdrawn From The Market After Its Owners Could Not Find A Suitable Buyer.
The unique venue, situated below the N2 on the seaside cliffs at the Kaaiman’‘s River Mouth, was put up for sale for R2,2-million.
It can be reached only by train track and attracts thousands of visitors each year. One of the largest venues on the Garden Route, it has become especially popular as a functions venue.
Kaaiman’s Grotto managing director Johan Coetzee said he and his co-directors had received a few offers, but none was satisfactory.
“We have decided to keep the Grotto, but make some changes so that we can continue with our other interests.
“We have appointed a manager and will be making some changes to the venue within the next few weeks. We will relaunch our product under new management next month.” The restaurant continues to operate as a venue for large functions.
In January, Coetzee said he wanted to retire while the directors wanted to pursue their other tourism business interests.
Originally started to fulfil the need for a seaside night venue, Kaaiman’s Grotto has been operating since 2002.
Coetzee and his son-in-law, Pieter Myburgh, came across the cave while they were moving their tour operating business from Johannesburg to the Garden Route.
After months of environmental assessment studies, the installation of toilets and temporary electricity, the Kaaiman’s Grotto had its first big function in October, 2002.
Since then the cave floor has been decked out and permanent electricity has been installed.
The venue, which can seat between 160 and 270 people depending on requirements, has played host to weddings, major product launches and conferences. The 65-metre deep, 12-metre wide and 13-metre high cave is considered a versatile venue, comfortably adapting to black tie events and informal braai evenings, and much more in between.
“It also has very good acoustics and is perfect for small theatre and music evenings.” A wooden deck outside the cave looks down on the crashing seas at the mouth of the Kaaiman’s River. A wooden staircase leads down to a tiny beach.
The Herald