Serene Gardens Café and Biophilia Plant Shop officially reopened their doors today at the former Emfuleni Lifestyle site, marking a new chapter for the establishment as it returns with a focus on healthy eating, hospitality and plant retail.
The place has also previously operated under the name PlantCo. The place was an agribusiness, plant nursery, and café founded by Sifiso Daladi Dlamini.
It had Plant Nursery & Retail: Indoor and outdoor plants, flowers, vegetable seedlings, and ecological/land conservation species (such as Vetiver Grass, Spekboom, Wild Rosemary, and Aloe varieties).
There was also a Café & Dining: A garden-surrounded café serving fresh meals, drinks (including stockists like Go Raw Eswatini juices and shots), and free Wi-Fi.
Among other things, there was also Landscaping & Land Rehabilitation: Professional services for green spaces and soil conservation.
The launch brought together influencers, senators, business and marketing heads, as well as a small team from the Eswatini Tourism Authority, who expressed anticipation about the activity the establishment is expected to bring to the area.
One of the owners, Nokuthula Dlamini, said the business remains committed to promoting healthy eating, including offering sugar-free cakes, while creating an inviting space for customers to enjoy its café experience.
She said the team was looking forward to receiving support from customers and stakeholders as the business re-establishes itself and works towards building a strong customer base.
The reopening follows a period of investment and preparations to revamp the establishment. Co-owner Daladi Dlamini said considerable resources had been channelled towards the renovations and reopening, with further preparations underway for the hotel operations to resume.
“We have invested a lot of money towards the revamp and reopening,” Dlamini said, adding that the team was grateful to the partners who had supported the café launch and preparations for the hotel.
The anticipated reopening of the hotel is expected to contribute to the business’s revenue, broadening its offering beyond the café and plant shop.
The establishment’s return also brings renewed attention to a site that previously operated as Emfuleni Lifestyle, a destination associated with leisure, hospitality and dining in Ezulwini.
The transition to the Serene Gardens and Biophilia brands builds on the site’s history while introducing a renewed focus on wellness, food and nature.
The combination of a café and plant shop offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy a dining experience while exploring plants and greenery.
The emphasis on healthy food, including sugar-free cakes, forms part of the café’s offering for customers seeking alternatives that align with their dietary preferences.
The opening event also provided an opportunity for the owners to reconnect with customers, partners and stakeholders whose support will be important as the business works to regain momentum.
With the hotel reopening expected to follow, the owners are looking to build on the renewed interest generated by the launch. The planned return of hotel operations is expected to strengthen the establishment’s hospitality offering and create additional opportunities for business.
For Serene Gardens Café and Biophilia Plant Shop, Friday’s reopening marked the start of this next phase, with the owners banking on customer support, partnerships, and the return of hotel operations to help drive the business forward.
