Wish on Florida Restaurant Closes its Doors After Three Years of Success
It is with great sadness that the popular Italian restaurant, Wish on Florida, will be closing its doors on Monday, April 10. The co-founder, Philani Kweyama, announced the unfortunate news on the restaurant’s Instagram page.
Wish on Florida has been the go-to spot for good food, drinks, and music in Durban since it opened its doors in 2019. The two black entrepreneurs behind the restaurant, Philani Kweyama and Benny Maverick, dedicated the last three years to building a successful black-owned business in the heart of Durban. The restaurant won the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur Award at the Durban Tourism Business Awards in 2022.
In the Instagram post, Kweyama expressed his sadness and explained the reason behind the closure. The recent tragic event on the restaurant’s doorstep caused a severe downturn in business, hindering the brand equity of Wish on Florida. The directors had no choice but to close the business permanently.
The closure of Wish on Florida is a significant loss for Italian food lovers in Durban. The restaurant was a wish come true for its owners, and they thanked the city of Durban for its tremendous support over the last three years. The restaurant catered to the city and the rest of the country, and its legacy will forever be engraved in the hearts of those who enjoyed its delicious food, drinks, and music.
Kweyama also thanked the various brands and suppliers who had been part of the Wish on Florida family since its opening. The suppliers walked them through the business of hospitality, and they delivered exceptional service, for which the co-founders were forever grateful. The staff members were also thanked for their dedication and passion for providing the best service and quality to Wish on Florida. They were the fabric that held the restaurant together, and their efforts to keep the doors open to ensure job security were not easy. Unfortunately, the above-mentioned reasons led to an untimely farewell.
Wish on Florida will be missed by all who enjoyed its offerings. It was a successful black-owned business in Durban, catering to the city and the rest of the country for three years. Its legacy will forever be engraved in the hearts of those who enjoyed its delicious food, drinks, and music.