There will be no more wheeling around corridors, working late nights and early mornings while juggling his personal life, as Nelson Mandela Bay restaurateur Bartho de Vries officially bows out of an industry he has been part of since the age of 15.
De Vries, owner of the popular beachfront eatery Blue Waters Cafe, said while the decision to step away was not an easy one, it was one he needed to make.
“It has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster making decisions and considering the consequences.
“Over the past two weeks I have had to remind myself it is not my baby any more,” De Vries said.
Starting as a manager at Blue Waters Cafe in 2005, De Vries wanted a bigger slice of the cake and in 2007 bought a 40% share of the business.
Two years later he became the sole owner.
“You grow as you go.
“The biggest things to consider is customer service and food quality and control, which is gained from experience,” De Vries said.
After surviving a horrific car accident on March 1 2002, De Vries said the experience had left him a better person in the long run.
“The experience taught me a lot about management and leadership skills, especially when you need people to do things for you,” he said.
Passionate about business and the inner workings of the industry, De Vries began studying financial planning eight years ago, which he said helped propel him forward.
“I love the intricacies of business; my passion was always to have my own business and the restaurant industry is so complex where you have to take on various roles,” he said.
Three years ago, De Vries entered into a partnership with local businessman Darrel Eberhardt, who along with his son, Kyle, have now taken over full shares of Blue Waters.
For De Vries the decision to hand over the business was not easy, but necessary.
“I had to decide do I invest a lump sum of money in renovating and relaunching or do I step aside.
“It was a difficult decision to make as this has been my life for the past 17 years so it has been quite the emotional rollercoaster ride,” De Vries said.
Sunday marked the final day of business for Blue Waters Cafe, as it has been known since the late 1990s.
It will now be known as Kingdom when it relaunches in September.
Kingdom will now form part of the Page Group which operates several eateries around Gqeberha and East London, including Famous Brands outlets, Wimpy Shark Rock, Wimpy Summerstrand Village, the newly opened Debonairs/Steers/Fishaways combo store in the Boardwalk, as well as Steers Nahoon in East London.
Embarking on their boldest venture yet, Kingdom has been punted as an independent restaurant-bar-cocktail lounge concept with a sophisticated cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant.
“We aim to bring that ‘big city’ sophistication that many locals are craving when it comes to dining and entertainment, but without putting strain on our patrons’ pockets.
“Kingdom will still have all of the exquisite flavours of Gqeberha, but with an air of sophistication and Joburg flair,” Kyle said.
More details of the official launch and what is to be expected will be released in the coming weeks.
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