Popular Russel Street restaurant to close its doors

The Benoni City Times sat down in the tranquil home away from home setting of the garden at Lemongrass Restaurant with the owner, Ivonne Taylor, last week, to talk about the end of an era – the establishment is closing its doors at the end of June.

They hosted a “One Last Party” bash at the popular Dutch-Indonesian restaurant in Western Extension on June 24 – a fitting farewell and cheers to Lemongrass before Ivonne will, bit by bit, start to wrap things up and finally hand the keys over to the new owners.

While the property had been on the market for a few years prior to an offer being accepted recently, Ivonne said it remains a tough reality that the business is closing.

“It is time, however. I feel good about it and am excited for my retirement,” she said, trying to recall the many memorable moments she’s shared with her customers and staff since opening the restaurant nearly 24 years ago after buying the premises of a French restaurant named Jacques-Marie.

She has not sold Lemongrass “lock, stock and barrel” as hoped, so one of the first questions we asked was what would become of all the beautiful décor and furniture.

The intention is to find all the pieces good homes, Ivonne said.

The décor has always been the talk of the town and rightly so.

As a qualified haematologist, Ivonne travelled a lot. She was still working full time for 10 years after opening Lemongrass.

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It was on these travels that she collected many of the exquisite and unusual pieces that adorn just about every inch of the restaurant.

Other décor pieces were bought locally, at second-hand shops in Benoni CBD, or made by Ivonne’s own hand from rolls of vibrant-coloured material she had at home.

While Ivonne admits to being great behind a sewing machine, she astonished even herself by opening a restaurant as cooking was certainly not something she enjoyed.

“Apart from this, I didn’t know a thing about owning a restaurant. Neither have I been to Indonesia. The love for the fusion of Dutch-Indonesian food stems from my Dutch heritage,” she said.

“What I ended up creating – even opening a Moroccan restaurant alongside Lemongrass – is all from my imagination, research and learning as we went along.”

There is high praise for every staff member who has passed through the doors over the years.

“Every one of them added value to the business in some way, bringing fresh ideas and new inspiration.”

Ivonne, who is also a former Lifeline East Rand chairperson, also started the Western Extension Village Project in 2019, forming a small committee with other business owners with the aim of uplifting and beautifying the Russel Street business district.

“I’d like to continue this with whoever is still willing to be part of it. I live in Western Extension and would like to see it retain its charm, not only for the homeowners but for the many small businesses community, of which I have been a part for so many years,” she said.

So, what does the future hold for Ivonne?

“I plan to concentrate on my veggie garden at home, which I love, and may even consider getting my garden ‘show’ ready. I may take up bowls and return to my artwork too, as well as go on holiday. My retirement will be busy for sure; I’m not one to sit and do nothing.”

Ivonne thanked her loyal customers and staff for their hard work and dedication in making the restaurant a success, adding her staff are very sad about the news of the closure but that she is helping them to find other suitable employment.

“It has been an incredible journey. The time has, however, come, and I’m OK with that. The memories will remain.”

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