The Parade April 2013 | Page 63

Food, Drink & Travel company opted for a 100 percent leasing concept for all its beer halls as part of its turnaround programme after finding themselves in this calamitous state. Among other investors, Broxhood Investments acquired numerous outlets, and is still in the process of expanding its beer junction network in Harare through lease agreements. “We decided to incorporate the word ‘junction’ as you will realise that unlike the former which monopolized in selling liquor, we offer a diversified and lavish service range. “These include selling assorted liquor that ranges from ciders, whiskey, clear beer and an array of other brands. We also offer a scrumptious restaurant, cozy sports bar, beer gardens, live shows, braai and pool, among other things,” says Broxhood Investment chief executive officer Romeo Muzeya. The “beer junctions” are set to upgrade taverns, displacing the archaic beerselling outlets from selling the infamous ‘mugojo’ (beer which would be weighed to one’s specifications, from one mug to 5 or more liters) to offering draft beer and the new look Chibuku in refreshingly clean environments. Likewise, the council bars were becoming infamous for their ‘growth point’ stretched sitting benches, and games such as draught. Junctions have upped the game to offer sports sections, braai corners, a restaurant and beer sections. During a tour at Takura Junction, the old benches were replaced with comfortable couches, with the same bench-like craft. In the open-air beer gardens are unique sheds, littered with trees to emphasize the scenery. Currently Broxhood have Takura Junction, in Kambuzuma, which started operations in early February this year. Other bars are set to open by the end of March starting with Chitubu Junction in Glen Norah, Stones Junction in Highfiled, Tangai Junction in Dzivarasekwa, and Mabvuku Beer Garden in Mabvuku. “These sites are good catchment areas. Rufaro Marketing outlets are strategic, with a potential to pull a large audience and so far business has been flamboyant,” Takura Junction’s manager, Collins Zvayi says. “We have received overwhelming support from individuals and corporates in our initial stages, and it clearly revealed that people had long-awaited their re-opening,” he adds. Contrary to reports that council bars were going to be turned into other ventures, more beer junctions are said to be in the pipe-line. Broxhood Investment assured transforming former council bars to favorable elegant environments. Support for the rebirth of the beer hall bars has been evident as different corporates are pledging support towards the partakers in form of t-shirts for the employees, refrigerators, television-sets for patrons to watch soccer-matches, as well as wall paintings. “Delta beverages helped us with coolers and t-shirts. They also provided us with waiters’ serving trays, openers and bar runners. B.A.T provided us with t-shirts, caps and three sets of 42 inch plasma screens. They also branded the interior and exterior of our bar,” says Mr Muzeya. The new associates conceded that they weren’t going to have much operation problems as they are receiving support from different stakeholders and adopting the goodwill of the Rufaro Marketing brand and its highly experienced former staff. The junctions are open for the public from 10am till midnight during the week and at 3pm on weekends. Live shows to entertain revelers are scheduled every week. Prominent artists like Mokoomba, Munya Mataruse, Kubatana Unlimited, Club Shango, Zulu Mgunje and the popular pole-dancer, Zoey, line up week-in, week-out to thrill revelers. Rufaro Marketing’s turmoil has provided a good fortune for the entertainment-starved high density suburbs, as people had recently resorted to drinking beer in bottle stores. The company has beer outlets in highdensity areas such as Mbare, Glen View, Glen Norah, Highfield, Kambuzuma, Mabvuku, Epworth, Dzivaresekwa, Kuwadzana, and Mufakose. The leasing venture of the 86 beer outlets is expected to raise in excess of US$4 million for Rufaro Marketing every year as a further 39 outlets were reported to have been leased to TN Holdings, Delta and PSMI. Rufaro Marketing was also reported to have offered 27 former employees 12year free leases to operate six outlets as a retrenchment package. TP 1. Collins Zvayi (L) manager and Tyrone Havnar (R) head of marketing 2. Restaurant employee displays some of the sumptuous food served at these junction outlets 3. Partrons sharing a scud in the newly refurbished Takura Junction outlet in Kambuzuma 4. The main bar 3 The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine 4 April 2013 Page 63