Once a month, Bloem foodies descend on Reizis Square
Astranger taps on your shoulder, introduces himself as Anthony Porter and says: “I am 70; I’ve lived here my whole life, but there has never been anything like this. This market is the best thing to ever happen to Bloem.”
A few Free Staters warned us in advance that the Noordhoek neighbourhood in the vicinity of Raymond Mhlaba Street (formerly Andries Pretorius Street) is “a bit rough around the edges” and “not so scenic”. It’s easy to see that this “transitional space” – essential and discount stores on the one side; tree-lined streets and large houses on the other – is in the midst of urban renewal, with Reizis Square at the forefront of the process.
This is where former beauty-salon owner and cupcake baker Jill Nowers, with the help of her husband André, has brought to life her lifelong dream of owning her own eatery and bakery.
Jack and Jill Food Co. opened its doors in January 2015 in a space formerly occupied by a fruit-andvegetable shop, and it wasn’t long before the whole of Bloemfontein was coming here for breakfast, baked treats and light lunches with a twist.
Then Jill had another clever flash of inspiration: Why not have an informal food market in the middle of the month when Bloem is really quiet?
Since March 2016, foodies have been flocking to the open-air courtyard in the square, where about 30 enthusiastic stallholders, all handpicked, set up under strings of fairy lights to sell freshly made fare such as spit-roasted meat, bread, cakes and pastries, craft beer, cheeses, curries and other speciality dishes from all over.
• The market is held every third Friday of the month – the next three are on 17 March, 21 April and 19 May 2017 – at Reizis Square on the corner of Raymond Mhlaba Street and Waverley Road. In summer (January to May and September to November) pop in between 17:00 and 20:00, and in winter (June to August) between 16:00 and 19:00.
Jack and Jill Food Co. yello@jackandjillfoodco.co.za 063 675 9502
In the late afternoon on every third Friday of the month, Bloemfontein’s food addicts descend upon the festive market at Reizis Square, which Jill Nowers started a year ago.