FreshStop at Caltex opened its 325th store at 68 Alumina Allee Street in the industrial area of Alton in Richards Bay last week. The Moodley family’s latest venture took flight with the opening of FreshStop Alton, which has rejuvenated the Caltex fuel forecourt that the family has been running there since August last year.

 Since they took over the site, the forecourt has been upgraded with more parking and additional pumps that allow for trucks and more vehicles to frequent the business.

According to Ashleigh Moodley, the Store Retailer, the family will be working together to ensure the success of the new store. “I will be working alongside my two brothers, Rowen and Caldryn, and my father, Cyril, to make sure that customers receive the best products and service and that they’re satisfied at all times. We have years of experience working together as we also run a paper converting business that manufactures various paper products,” says Moodley. Rowen Moodley will personally be managing this site as well as their Caltex St Lucia site. The family is well known in the area, with Cyril Moodley having served on the city council for 18 years.

FreshStop at Caltex Alton will offer customers and local business people a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, a variety of grocery items, and a Grab n Go section with pies, sandwiches and refreshments. “In addition to the normal offering, we are very excited that we will have the very popular Crispy Chicken and Grill to Go outlets available in-store as well as a House of Coffees coffee bar. This store will give the industrial area of Alton an offering that they’ve never had before at a value for money price point. 

“Locals will no longer need to spend time driving into Richards Bay to get a quick meal as they’ll be able to pop in or WhatsApp their orders to us so they do not have to wait in line to get their meals. Customers can pull up in our large parking area and we’ll bring their orders to them, take payment and off they go. Quick, effective and friendly service that also supports social distancing,” explains Moodley. The opening of FreshStop Alton has created 12 additional jobs for people from the local community.

FreshStop, named International Convenience Retailer of the Year 2013 and finalist of the 2017 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award, is South Africa’s largest and fastest growing 24-hour convenience store retail brand, having opened 325 stores countrywide.