The Strydom family has unveiled a complete transformation of the Lion’s Square store featuring a new wine shop, global pantry, and exclusive local partnerships.
The scaffolding and dust have finally settled at Lion’s Square, revealing a transformation that sets a new standard for local convenience shopping. I attended the official launch of the newly renovated KWIKSPAR Somerset West today, Thursday 8 October 2026, where the usual Thursday morning grocery run was replaced by a celebration involving the Helderberg community, local influencers, and the families who have spent months behind the scenes.
The renovation has completely reimagined the space. While the footprint remains at its familiar Somerset West address, the interior has been gutted and rebuilt into what feels like a benchmark for the KWIKSPAR brand. The layout is significantly more modern, moving away from the cramped feel of the previous iteration to create a store that leans heavily into a boutique, high-end experience without losing its neighbourhood utility.
Bringing the Winelands to the aisles
One of the most striking additions is The Wine Shop, a dedicated area that reinforces owner Christa Strydom’s goal of making the store a wine destination. During the launch, prominent sommelier Denzel-Jonathan Swarts from Zoetendal vineyards performed a traditional sabrage, opening a bottle of wine with a sword before the Strydom family performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The launch event felt more like a local festival than a retail opening. A live band comprised of Parel Vallei High School students provided the soundtrack, playing favourites that eventually had the KWIKSPAR staff dancing. Guests were treated to macarons, some branded with the store’s logo, and samples from Zoetendal, Astraeus, and Spier wines, as well as ice cream from Babylonstoren and coffee from Blaauwklippen.
A focus on exclusive local brands
What sets this revamp apart is the introduction of a Global Pantry and a selection of brands that are usually found on wine estates rather than supermarket shelves. Christa and her family have intentionally brought in exclusives such as Babylonstoren gelato, Blaauwklippen coffee, and products from Blos Bakkery.
I spoke to Christa Strydom during the event, who was busy greeting regulars and guests. She spoke of how grateful she was to the Helderberg community for having been understanding and patient with her as the store was being upgraded. The pride in the new offering was evident as she moved between the various activation stalls.
Shoppers can now find a range of premium labels including Chaloner, The Chef’s Collection, Honey House, Carne, Compagniesdrift, Two In A Bush, and RIO LARGO. Many of these producers were on hand today with sampling stations, allowing locals to taste the quality of the new inventory before it hit their baskets.
Practical changes for Somerset West shoppers
Beyond the luxury items, the practicalities of the store have seen a total overhaul. The bakery is entirely new, and the general flow of the store has been opened up to accommodate a more comfortable shopping experience. The till area, previously a bottleneck during peak hours, has been redesigned to improve efficiency.
The Strydom family, who also operate the well-known KWIKSPAR Paul Roos in Stellenbosch, have clearly applied their twelve years of experience to this project. By securing regional exclusives like the Blaauwklippen coffee, they are betting that Somerset West residents want more than just the basics from their local KWIKSPAR.
As the music from the Parel Vallei students wound down, the store returned to its primary purpose: serving the people of Somerset West. But with its new look and specialized pantry, it is clear the Lion’s Square site is no longer just a place to pick up a loaf of milk and bread. It has become a showcase for the best of the Western Cape’s produce.
