Potchefstroom locals to open new farm-to-table restaurant

Two Potchefstroom locals, Riaan May (26) and Mitchell Coetzee (36), will soon open a farm-to-table restaurant in the Bult area, called Loop St, the only restaurant in town to mostly use produce from local farms.

 “We really want to support local farms,” said May. They will serve menu items that are from farms in the North-West with a seasonal menu that changes over the course of the year, taking inspiration from international cuisine.

Loop St will be a coffee roastery, restaurant, and night-time bar. Coetzee, who will be running the roastery, is also the owner of Common Ground Coffees, a Potchefstroom-based coffee supplier.

Coetzee said that everyone is welcome to dine at Loop St, with May adding that he wants the restaurant to be a “place for creatives.” The restaurant has a rustic interior and the outside area has a deck with an open view of the North-West University (NWU’s) Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground.

threestreamsmedia surveyed 19 students on NWU Potchefstroom campus at random on what type of new establishment they would want to see in Potchefstroom. Six students said they would like a place to gather after sport events on Fanie Du Toit Sport Ground. Eight of them said they would like a new place to gather with friends at night, while five of them said they would want a place to work and drink coffee in the morning.

May said he is hopeful that the restaurant can be a communal space for athletes who travel to Potchefstroom from around the country. The restaurant is located close to the NWU Sports Village, which will be convenient for travelling athletes. May and Coetzee said the restaurant is opening in winter.