December 2009 saw the Braeside Community welcoming a new supermarket that was to bring transformation to the way shopping had been experienced before. BRAESIDE SPAR opened its doors to bring quality groceries and a mouth-watering bakery and deli that no person can resist! In 2010 they went on to open the first TOPS in Zimbabwe - SPAR’s hip version of the common bottle store. BRAESIDE SPAR always strive to be leaders within the retail market, by being dynamic and innovative. Examples of this are shown with their BRAESIDE SPAR Bargain Bin Promotion – designed to create excitement for shoppers by having amazing deals at random times within the store for 1 hour only, as well as their Miles More Shopping Concept, offering discounts of up to 20 cents per litre off fuel purchases to customers for simply shopping at BRAESIDE SPAR.
More than a clean, warm shopping environment, BRAESIDE SPAR is committed to job creation where possible, and currently employs approximately 100 people. Braeside SPAR has promised to look after the community they had begun to serve. Pensioners in the area can attest to the Tuesdays where they receive a 5% discount on their grocery items as well as free tea and cake. The Arcadia Community Centre, ZRP Braeside, St Andrews Anglican Church, SPCA, Nettleton School, Athol Evans home for senior citizens and many other organisations can confirm receipt of numerous donations from the supermarket.
“Our wish has always been to offer our community something that will benefit them for longer, on a more sustainable basis, and we finally have that very thing! We have sunk a community borehole. We value the community in which we operate in, the support of our local residents is immeasurable. By opening up this water facility, we are simply giving back to a well deserving community and hope that this makes life a little bit more comfortable for everyone” explained Darren Lança, the owner of the retail outlet.
The borehole at Braeside SPAR was commissioned on Saturday 4 April 2015 by Councilor of Braeside, Auxillia Mahachi. “Well done, well done” she sang, “We thank you Braeside SPAR for reaching out to your community, what you have done is noteworthy and I can only hope that more Corporates do this in the areas they operate in. Not only do residents fetch water at any given time but this is clean and safe to drink!” Mrs. Rose Barrows a pensioner and one of Braeside SPAR’s loyal customers was elated as she was honoured in being the first one to fill up her 5litre water bottle. “As a pensioner this borehole is heaven sent, not only am I privy to safe drinking water but it is also free. On behalf of the community I thank Braeside SPAR for this initiative as they have showed us how much they appreciate us and as residents we promise to maintain the tap as it is on this day of commissioning”.