Customers rejoice as tobacco and alcohol stores reopen
Randburg Sun visited stores at Ferndale on Republic to gauge from store managers how customers have been reacting to the news.
After President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 15 August that ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco would be scrapped, and relaxed other lockdown restrictions, many residents have once again made their way to their local liquor stores and tobacco shops to replenish much of their long-awaited booze and cigarette supplies.
The Randburg Sun visited stores at Ferndale on Republic to gauge from store managers how customers have been reacting to the news.
“This morning was quiet and not as busy as the last time we reopened, but I am confident that there will be a big rush later on in the evening when people finish up work and head home to relax with a glass of wine or a cold beer,” said Checkers Liquor Store manager Joseph Maphalla.
When the Covid-19 lockdown was announced in March, liquor stores had to close their doors up until the level three of lockdown was announced and customers could resume purchasing alcohol. This came to an abrupt end a few weeks later when the president announced the reinstatement of these lockdown regulations to curb the number of hospitalisations resulting from alcohol consumption.
Pick n Pay Liquor Store manager Muswenkosi Makhafula said, “Opening up our store is such a positive thing. Many of our staff members got their jobs back, and I honestly think that the morale of our customers will increase tenfold. All liquor stores need the money to pay their loyal staff members, and so does the government that draws a lot of cash flow from the sale of alcohol.
Smokers also rejoiced at the sight of fully stocked shelves of their favourite brands of tobacco once again being sold at shops. Tobacco Town’s Precious Mpofu said their store has been closed for five months now since the lockdown began, and times have not been easy.
“Words cannot even express how happy we are to be open again to serve our customers and their tobacco and vape needs. When we had to close, not only was it difficult on us and other staff members, but it was difficult on our loyal customers too,” said Mpofu.
