Perfectly positioned as a pitstop for weekenders and holidaymakers, Marsh Rose Mall is very much geared to serving the local community, adjacent as it is to the growing communities around Grabouw, some of which are within walking distance.

Everyone has their favourite farmstall along the Elgin Valley stretch of the N2 but Marsh Rose Mall will be different. For the first time, you will be able to stop for petrol and do a comprehensive supermarket shop right on the N2, just an hour outside Cape Town and away from the City’s mad mall mayhem.

“Marsh Rose Mall has everything the weekender and the local could want – from Sunlight to Sosaties,” says Centre Manager Mable Rykaart.

Vibe, of course, is what Grabouw has in abundance: home to South African Pop Idols Star Karin Kortje, it is also famous for fruits of the tree and vine: the finest Pink Ladies, Sauvignon Blanc and Guava Jam are but three of the top quality delicacies you can purchase in the Valley. Then there’s the pristine fynbos of the Kogelberg Biosphere (a very special part of the World Heritage Site Cape Floral Kingdom) as well as a wine route of increasing reputation (Iona, Beaumont, Elgin Valley Vintners) to provide ample attraction for both day visitors and weekenders alike.

The attractions of the Boland Trail, quad-biking across the mountains, driving through the valleys at apple blossom time or smelling the sweet-scented roses in the beautiful Elgin Open Gardens in October – all these options are enticing an increasing number of the 16000 cars per day that pass along the N2 to stay awhile. There’s even a quaint outdoor theatre down the road on the Cluver wine estate, where family picnics under the trees are a big attraction.

So Grabouw and the Elgin Valley are increasingly putting themselves on the map – and Marsh Rose Mall’s piazza-style offering intends to take advantage of that increased interest and investment in the area to service the needs of travellers and locals alike.