From spit braais to hotel keys — six kids, two hotels, one stubborn sense of optimism.
The Longmores originated from Springs, where they ran 40 spit-braai machines and 4 ox braai machines. Their claim to fame was cooking for King Mswati II of Swaziland five times!
They arrived in the Valley in 1996, when they bought Monks Cowl Country Club, with a Ford Bantam, a Toyota Camry, and six children, which is to say they arrived with more energy than budget.
A prominent local, William Thornhill, said Stuart was a very brave man to compete in the restaurant business with the renowned restauranteur, Anton Zunckel!
The first years were tough with limited income meaning the Longmores did most of the things themselves, cheffing, mowing the greens, golf course maintenance, waitressing & running the pub. As the children grew up they took active roles, part staff, part chaos coordinators.. Watching the Valley Children grow up in front of us with our children was very rewarding for us
The Longmores had a marketing strategy: hire good-looking bar staff to boost sales, and then stay friends with them for life. It worked; those girls are now scattered around the world, and the family still keeps in touch.
After selling Monks Cowl to Gooderson in 2012, retirement was short-lived. They managed, then bought, The Nest Hotel, fixing it up on a shoestring and reviving the Nest Bowling Club with expert help from Theuns and Iris Fraser, who took members to provincial level.
Stuart and Shelley are now retiring from The Nest, but they are fortunate to be able to continue residing in the Valley( among this incredible community) on the property bought in 1998 next to The Nest Hotel
Their success came down to teamwork—the staff at Monks Cowl and The Nest who turned grit into hospitality. They credit the Valley community for steady support and keep one simple motto: Support the locals and they will support you.
They arrived with a car and six kids and they leave with a lifetime of stories and a few more grandchildren.
Photocredit : Ann Gray