Stodels Bus, early 60's

Fables and Facts from ACVW History
Post Reply
Pine
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 15031
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
Location: Wilderness
Has thanked: 231 times
Been thanked: 233 times
Contact:

Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by Pine »

The well known Stodels Nurseries started out as a one man outfit selling flower bulbs door-to-door and on the Parade.
Image


User avatar
Ken Lewis
Oil Leak
Posts: 55
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:27 am
What model do you have?: 76 Splitty P/up
Location: Boksburg

Re: Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by Ken Lewis »

Bliksem...and when I stayed in CT, they were one of, if not the biggest nurseries around..I think!
Everyone needs to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.
User avatar
Thumper
Carburettor
Posts: 1946
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:00 pm
What model do you have?: Just scale models
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 13 times
South Africa

Re: Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by Thumper »

Stodels is still one if the biggest here, by far! :D
My Bug: http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 37&t=12416" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
jolas
Donor
Donor
Posts: 4253
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:11 am
What model do you have?: '65 Kombi
Location: Klapmuts, Western Cape
Has thanked: 393 times
Been thanked: 173 times

Re: Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by jolas »

Cool pic 8)
by fig » Mar 26, 2018
Sambas in South Africa are good for only 2 things: showing off and sunburn.
User avatar
riaanj
Exhaust Pipe
Posts: 1665
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:17 pm
What model do you have?: None ATM, oneday...
Location: Germiston
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 41 times

Re: Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by riaanj »

At least he started out in style.. :D
Just keep on BUGGIN'
Protect the endangered, say NO to exporting our AirCooled spares & cars..

T6 Ranger 2.2TDCi D/Cab
307E Anglia panel-van
Honda CBR600RR
Honda CBR600F4
Honda CBR1100XX SuperBlackbird
User avatar
ChrisG
Crankshaft
Posts: 703
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:55 pm
What model do you have?: None
Location: Milnerton, Cape Town

Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by ChrisG »

Cool pic! Thanks for sharing
http://thegreatadventurer.com
Twitter: @TGadventure
Pine
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 15031
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
Location: Wilderness
Has thanked: 231 times
Been thanked: 233 times
Contact:

Re: Stodels Bus, early 60's

Post by Pine »

Robert Stodel, who I believe is the gentleman in the black shirt next to the Splitty, passed away earlier this week. RIP Robert

Image
Tributes poured in on Wednesday after the passing of the founder of Stodels Garden Centre, Robert Stodel (73), on Tuesday.

Robert was diagnosed with a rare lung disease about three months ago, according Kathy Malherbe, a spokesperson for Stodels Garden Centres. She said family and staff are still in shock.

Robert’s son, Nick, current MD of Stodels Garden Centres, wrote in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook: “To us you were a giant. In Heaven they are busy sweeping the aisles and straightening things up. Because when Rob Stodel walks through those gates the place had better be ready!”

Robert was described by his peers as a revolutionary, a pioneer, a legend and a trailblazer. He was not only praised for his business acumen but also as a preservationist.

After arriving in South Africa from Holland as a 16 year old, Robert started working for a Dutch couple who was selling flower bulbs sourced from Holland. After that he started his own business Rob started his own business out of a garage in Plumstead, selling flower bulbs imported from Holland on the Grand Parade and door-to-door, surviving on “a couple of apples and a pint of milk a day”. The garage was soon bursting at the seams which was not surprising as he imported in excess of 20 million bulbs annually and circulated up to 320 000, 36-page full colour catalogues twice a year. Sales were flourishing.

By then customers had started demanding not only flower bulbs but also associated products which is why in 1968 he opened the first one-stop retail garden centre in Kenilworth. It was here that he proved his theory correct - that gardening products could be offered at discounted prices. It was at this stage that he positioned Stodels Nurseries as places which offered ‘‘Complete one-stop self-service nurseries and garden centres at discounted prices.’

Morne Faulhammer from the South African Green Industries Council said Robert has been a pioneer and trailblazer in the South African nursery industry for over 50 years.

“Not only did Robert Stodel’s vision of creating a world class garden centre chain become a realisation, but he successfully managed to hand over the business to a second generation. Robert Stodel’s ability, above all, to promote gardening to all, has left a legacy of environmental awareness throughout the Western Cape that can never be surpassed. Robert will be truly missed,” says Faulhammer.

Di Irish from the Cape Green Forum says Robert will be missed. “The gardening world in South Africa and particularly in the Western Cape will feel the sad loss of Robert Stodel. His name has been synonymous with the gardening countrywide as a pioneer, entrepreneur and a thorough gentleman. When Rob walked into a room, you knew he had arrived. He was a bundle of energy, always interested in what was going on around him, constantly asking questions and unconditionally offering his advice to others. In the years to come we will all hear much of the man who helped lay the foundation for the Garden Centre industry,” says Irish.

- TygerBurger
Found another pic of the old Stodels Bus - wonder where it is today?

Image
Post Reply