Forty-four years as the best little general dealer in Hilton has shown this lovely couple an interesting perspective on life in Hilton and innumerable changes.This shop was opened by Kirk Van Der Merwe who named the store for his staff who carried the name Kubela. It was then sold to Mr Pietersen and bought by the Chohans in 1978 through a nominee, their family attorney, Peter Rutch. The sectional title deed was transferred to their own name in 1994.
They recall boxes of stock arriving at Hilton station on the goods train until as recently as sometime in the 1990s. Popeye would head across with a trolley and a helpful staff member to collect his orders. Their long-time neighbour was an agency for Barclays Bank, which for a time had no wall on the roadside, just a diamond mesh fence. Their stock range has changed a lot over time, many pairs of school shoes have passed through the door!
The Chohans express great appreciation for the support of the Hilton community and are grateful for the serenity they have enjoyed doing business in Hilton through all these years. Driving through daily at 6.30am, six days a week, from Northdale has meant this shop is more of a home than their own in which they almost only sleep.
After almost 44 years as the owners of Kubela Stores, Abdulhak (72) and Hajra Chohan (66) (aka Popeye and Mrs Cohen to many shoppers), have put their business on the market. They look forward to spending time at home once they retire and the time to return to Hilton, where they will visit friends whom they hold dear and enjoy a meal or tea at a few of Hilton’s many coffee shops or restaurants.
If you are interested in buying Kubela Stores please contact Pam Buys at Arrow Properties & Projects by calling 082 446 1921.
