Here’s why Greenstone Trading Post should be on your Barberton list
Once the historic Impala Hotel, the Greenstone Trading Post is now home to a vibrant collection of local businesses, each adding its own flavour to this restored Barberton landmark.
When the historic Impala Hotel was given new life as the Greenstone Trading Post in 2014, it marked the beginning of a fresh chapter for one of Barberton’s most recognisable landmarks.
After three years of dedicated restoration, owners Lawrence and Elsabé Reyneke transformed the ageing, and in some areas dilapidated structure into a vibrant, multi-purpose space that blends heritage with modern enterprise.
Today, Greenstone Trading Post stands as a lively hub where local businesses, services, and community initiatives come together under one roof.
Pizza@Greenstone Eat In - The place where friends meet
This much-loved coffee shop has earned a reputation as the go-to spot to unwind on the deck beneath the canopy of a magnificent old fig tree. Started during the changes brought by Covid, the café quickly grew in popularity with locals looking for a relaxed place to meet and enjoy great coffee, roasted right here on site.
Today, more than fifty local bakers, artists, crafters, jewellers and farmers showcase their wares from this quaint little coffee shop, making it the perfect place to find a delicious cake, a unique painting or a thoughtful gift for a friend. It has also become a convenient stop for both national and international tourists looking to grab a quality takeaway coffee and a special keepsake to take home.
Pizza@Greenstone Take Away - Built on family, fired by passion
You could say the idea for Pizza@Greenstone Take Away started forming in the young mind of James Reyneke when his father, Lawrence, ran his own restaurant and James was still just a little boy. Of course, a love of pizza also played its part.
Together with his brother, Willie Ackermann, and with help from the rest of the family, the idea slowly became reality. James took one of the outbuildings at Greenstone Trading Post, which had originally been four small staff rooms. Walls were broken down and the space was transformed into a take-away.
This is when dad stepped in, building a pizza oven in the traditional Roman kiln style using products sourced from across the country. Today, James and his excellent team of pizza chefs serve what many locals say is the best pizza in town.
Cast Iron Coffee Roastery - Crafted for everyday coffee lovers
Cast Iron Coffee Roastery, based in Barberton, continues to build its reputation as one of the Lowveld’s most consistent specialty coffee producers. Founded by local Michael Irons, Cast Iron was established with a clear focus: to roast coffee that is balanced, reliable and enjoyable every day.
Rather than chasing trends, the roastery has developed a disciplined approach centred on consistency and strict quality control, supplying both wholesale partners and home brewers with coffee designed to perform across multiple brew methods.
With its flagship blend, El Dorado, forming the backbone of its range, Cast Iron is steadily expanding its footprint beyond the region while remaining firmly rooted in its commitment to dependable, well-crafted coffee.
Marzi’s Design Hub is a specialised finishing store based in Barberton, offering quality products and expert advice to help customers transform their homes and workspaces. Backed by extensive interior design experience, the owner, Liezl de Jongh, provides personalised guidance to ensure each space is both stylish and practical while reflecting the customer’s unique vision.
The store supplies a wide range of laminated, vinyl and cementitious flooring options, along with a variety of blinds to suit different preferences and budgets. It also stocks the popular Tjhoko Paint chalk paint range, ideal for creative and decorative projects.
In addition to its interior solutions, Marzi’s Design Hub offers a convenient house key-cutting service, making it a practical one-stop destination for both home improvement and everyday needs.
Marzi’s Furry Friends - Barberton’s trusted pet nutrition hub
Marzi’s Furry Friends Pet Nutrition & Accessories is Barberton’s only specialised pet food store, proudly focused on providing expert nutritional advice and premium, registered pet food for pets of all breeds and life stages. Established three years ago by Liezl de Jongh, a well-known and respected member of the Lowveld animal community and founder of Lost and Found Pets Lowveld, the business is built on genuine passion, experience and trusted expertise.
With a strong understanding of pet nutrition, Marzi’s Furry Friends works closely with State Veterinarians and hosts a private veterinarian at the store twice a month. This ensures pet owners have access to professional guidance and reliable support when making important decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing.
The store stocks an extensive range of over-the-counter products, along with carefully selected pet food brands that are properly registered within the Pet Food Industry. Liezl’s dedication to animal welfare extends beyond domestic pets - she is also a registered Wildlife Volunteer with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), reflecting her ongoing commitment to both pets and wildlife in the region.
Charity Begins at Home - Where second chances support local animals
Barberton’s only charity shop, Charity Begins at Home, was established about three years ago after the Barberton SPCA was forced to close its doors due to unfortunate circumstances.
The SPCA shop had always been the organisation’s main source of income, made possible by the generosity of local residents who donated goods sold at minimal cost to the community. When the SPCA closed, Umjindi fell under the jurisdiction of the Nelspruit SPCA, which already faced the challenge of adding another area to its responsibilities.
Determined to keep the support going, three former Barberton SPCA committee members - Sharon Drake, Margaret du Plessis and Marlies Liebenberg - continued operating the shop, using the funds raised to assist the Nelspruit SPCA in delivering animal welfare services to the Umjindi community.
The initiative has proved highly successful and, at the beginning of this month, the charity shop moved to larger, more convenient premises at Greenstone Trading Post.
As the only charity shop in town, the team extends sincere thanks to the many supporters who donate clothing, books, crockery, bric-a-brac, paintings and more, as well as to loyal customers whose purchases enable this dedicated group to continue rendering a much-needed service to the animals of the municipal area.
CF Liebenberg Attorneys - Trusted legal expertise in Barberton
Attorney CF Liebenberg brings more than four decades of legal experience to a wide range of practice areas, including commercial law, contracts, conveyancing, estates, family law, labour matters, litigation and property-related services.
With 42 years in practice, the firm offers comprehensive legal assistance, from debt collections and divorces to wills, sequestrations and the sale of businesses.
Centrally located and easily accessible, the offices provide modern facilities with ample secure parking. The practice is fully computerised with up-to-date technology and resources. Committed to client-focused service, the firm maintains a friendly, professional environment while supporting the advancement of previously disadvantaged communities and individuals.
Don’t just take our word for it. Pop in and have a look for yourself!
Together, these businesses form the heartbeat of the Greenstone Trading Post, transforming a once-fading landmark into a vibrant centre of commerce and community life. As the building continues to evolve, it stands as a symbol of restoration, resilience and the power of local enterprise - proof that with vision and dedication, even the oldest spaces can be given new purpose.
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Lynette Spencer
Lynette Spencer
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