Grace + Merci goes online
In October 2020, when many platteland restaurants went under during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bev Missing opened one in Swellendam in the Overberg and christened it Grace + Merci. This was out of gratitude, she says, because she had not only survived breast cancer and Covid-19, but also the traumatic loss of her African bath and bodycare range, Rain, which she had started in her garage in Ladybrand in 1998 and later established in Swellendam. (In Platteland #5, at the end of 2014, we spoke to Bev about this international brand name and the book she wrote about making soap.)
In 2021, when the restraint of trade had finally ended, Bev opened a “Secret Shop” in the garden behind Grace + Merci, where she could again give free reign to her creativity and, just like in the old days, discover and make beautiful, wonderful-smelling products.
These days, Platteland can’t drive past Swellendam without stocking up on soap and home fragrances. The compact shop also sells candles, ceramics, serveware, carpets, towels, table linen, sheets and throws, bags and notebooks – all in Bev’s elegant style. The pantry section, found in the restaurant area in front, stocks everything from fancy biscuits, chocolate and sweets to jam, granola, coffee, cordials and honey. And don’t forget about the multi-coloured eggs laid by Bev’s own chickens. Unfortunately these are only sold in the shop at 8A Voortrekker Street, directly opposite the NG church (Moederkerk), but everything else can be viewed and ordered in the online shop.
Visit between 08:00 and 16:00 (Mondays to Saturdays) and 09:00 and 15:00 (Sundays and public holidays).
Contact graceandmerci.com shop@graceandmerci.com
066 478 0306