In July this year, the very first SOKO District opened in Rosebank Mall. A few months on, SOKO identified an opportunity to test a locally sourced grocer within the Rosebank District. In what is a collaborative effort, SOKO has partnered with The Grainery on a concept called “Gather Grocer” in which local goods are sold on consignment basis.

Gather is essentially a curated local grocery concept store that has local producers of quality food products at the heart of it. The intention is to create a grocery store collective that changes the shopping experience by giving the expert crafters of food products the ability to reach customers in a considered, immersive and curated way in a convenient location - a space that makes sense for food retail.

Says Hanré Truter, Head of Space at SOKO: “We are confident that not only will this store become a destination shopping experience in its own right, but that it will also bring much needed traffic and repeat footfall into the district, benefiting all retailers within the district.”

“Gather is the child we really considered and studied before deciding we were going to bring it out into the open. Hundreds of hours went into the forethought, the systems, the brand acquisition, the visual language and most importantly, the business model. We are proud of its complexity and solid foundation,” says Gather’s curator and owner of The Grainery, Twila Cannell.

A special focus will be on the offering at Gather. The brands which have come on board are special. They are a true celebration and testament to the tenacity and creativity of the South African food entrepreneur.

Gather would like to extend an opportunity to as many food brands as possible, any local producers grocery store product offerings can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to fin out more about being part of the Gather Grocery.

You’ll find the Gather store at the first SOKO District located in the bustling heart of Jozi at Rosebank Mall, 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank. For more information visit the SOKO District website or watch the launch video here: https://youtu.be/9udCS_7EMPM

NOTE: All Covid protocols are in place.

SOKO District at Rosebank Mall Operating Hours:

SOKO District is operational under the adjusted Level 1 restrictions:

Mon – Thurs: 9am – 6pm | Fri: 9am – 7pm | Sat, Sun and Public holidays: 9am – 5pm

Operating hours over the Festive Season remain as above but please take special note of the operating times on the following days during the Festive Season:

• Day of Reconciliation - 16 December 2021 - 9am to 6pm
• Christmas Day - 25 December 2021 - Closed
• Day of Goodwill - 26 December 2021 - 9am to 5pm
• New Year’s Day - 1 January 2022 - Closed
• Sunday - 2 January 2022 - 9am to 5pm

Get Social: Follow Gather on Instagram @gather_grocer #localislekker #locoforlocal #gatheringsallowed #comegatherwithus

Follow SOKO District on Instagram @sokodistrict or keep up to date with their latest news on Facebook @sokodistrict. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #SOKODistrict #SOKORosebank #ChooseLocal and #SupportLocal #RetailTherapy #RetellTherapy when you are sharing your SOKO District experiences.

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DISTRIBUTED ON BEHALF OF Bummel Shoes and SOKO District by ANGELFISH PR & EVENTS. All media queries can be directed to Annie Hodes on 083 325 4445 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

About SOKO District
You’ll find the first SOKO District space at the centre of all the action in Rosebank Mall. It’s the first of many come and what a good place to start – in the bustling heart of the Jozi. This location resonates with a SOKO District pillar principle of creating a regenerative space, a space that encourages constant movement towards fresh ideas.

We are 100% South African-owned, and we keep our carefully selected shop-fitting materials local as far as possible. Sustainable sourcing and recyclability also play pivotal roles in our processes – from our exclusive and patented mechanisms to our electronic and lighting systems.

Technology is a vehicle for improving the quality and sustainability of the community we live in. Our drive towards innovation – the continual hunt for solutions towards improvement – puts us in a unique position to supply SOKO District retailers with the best and latest technologies. Zero harm. Ecologically sound. 

Sustainability
Each brand within SOKO District has a completely customisable space which means customers can easily find and recognise their favourite store. From a shop-fitting perspective, nothing goes to waste. Even shop branding is carefully recycled into stylish shopping bags after use.