Residents of Thornhill Manor retirement village have a welcoming spot to gather over good food and conversation at Café Manor – a cosy café that has become a popular meeting place for residents and their guests.
Café Manor has been run by Gareth de Groot since August 2025, and he says the past seven months have been both rewarding and memorable.
“Working with people has always been a passion of mine, and that, combined with my love for creating unique and exciting dishes, has been the most enjoyable part of running the café,” he says.
Gareth says previous experience managing cafés in retirement villages has helped him and his team create a warm and welcoming environment.
“Having run cafés in retirement villages before has taught us how to create a welcoming atmosphere,” he explains. “By getting to know our residents and their guests, we make sure everyone feels comfortable, safe and part of the community.”
What’s on the menu?
Keeping the menu fresh and interesting is also a priority. “I believe that feedback and input from our customers is the most important way of gauging how interesting and inviting our menu is,” says Gareth. “We try to keep an open mind and take suggestions from every patron to ensure we are catering to every taste.”
To add variety, the café offers daily specials from Tuesday to Sunday.
“By running daily specials, we try to expand our offerings and ensure variety, so we keep people interested and never allow ourselves to stagnate,” he says.
When it comes to his favourite item on the menu, Gareth does not hesitate.
“My personal favourite menu item is our cheeseburger,” he says. “We use fresh beef to make a homemade patty, with melted cheddar cheese and crispy chips – not much can beat that for me.”
It’s in his genes
Gareth says his mother, Wanda de Groot, who runs Elphino’s coffee shop at Elphin Lodge, has been a valuable source of advice.
“My mom’s experience in a very similar environment has been invaluable,” he says. “She has provided plenty of insight to help us build a solid foundation to establish a successful coffee shop.”
Reflecting on the journey so far, Gareth says the café’s success is thanks to both his team and the community it serves.
“We have very dedicated and loyal individuals working behind the scenes, and amazing residents and customers who have been with us every step of the way.”
Opening hours
Café Manor is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm, with both sit-down meals and takeaway options available throughout the day. The café also offers deliveries in and around the area.
In addition to daily service, the café also hosts special lunches for occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, giving residents another opportunity to gather over a meal.
