End of an era as the Victory Lounge closes its doors

THE Victory Lounge may have closed shop in town but owners Billy and Kanagee Moodley have assured their valued customers they will reopen soon, in another location.

Speaking a few days after the shop’s closure, Kanagee reminisced about the special moments shared there.

“I remember couples would court and come here for lunch without their parents knowing. Once there was a gentleman, who was trying to impress a lovely lady by leaning back in the chair, which flipped and he fell over,” said Kanagee. “But most of all, I remember the customers, serving them and chatting to them. They became our family.”

The couple, in their mid60s, said they decided to close the shop because the CBD was no longer conducive for business.

“We cater to Indian demographics but Indians are reluctant to come into the CBD because they fear for their safety.

“Also, there is less than a handful of Indian-owned shops here. Most shopkeepers are giving up their stores to foreign traders,” she said.

Victory Lounge, which has been in the family for more than 70 years, was named after the victory over Germany in World War II.

“The war had just ended and there were victory celebrations happening everywhere, so that’s how its name came about.”

Shortly before Billy’s father passed away in 1993, he gave him and his other son, Vickey, one shop each.

Billy chose to stay with the CBD store because that’s where he worked with his father, while Vickey took the store at the Chatsworth Centre.

Kanagee said the city store was featured on the television lifestyle show Eastern Mosaic and on DStv.

The couple would like to share their gratitude to their loyal customers who supported them along their way, and their children, who supported them during the final years when things were tough.