MARCH 2026
The Heartbeat Behind Hilton’s Pantry
Meet Pick n Pay The Avenues
Everyday life in Hilton is shaped by the places people return to again and again. Through our Faces of the Avenues series, we celebrate the businesses that help make our centre feel like a community. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on
Pick n Pay The Avenues.
For the Thatcher family behind Pick n Pay, the heart of the business rests on three simple but powerful pillars: people, passion, and purpose. These values guide how this family-run, community-first store operates. From the way the team works together to the way customers are welcomed through the doors.
“We are serious foodies,” Cecile Thatcher shares. “We love experimenting in the kitchen and trying different cuisines.”
That love for food shows up directly on the shelves. The store has expanded its range to include a wide variety of speciality items. Making it easier for customers to try something new, discover exciting ingredients, and recreate restaurant-quality
meals at home.
In many ways, Pick n Pay has become part of the rhythm of daily life in Hilton. It’s where ingredients for weeknight dinners, family celebrations, and spontaneous cooking inspiration are found.
But while great food is central, the shopping experience matters just as much. The Pick n Pay team is passionate about creating a warm, friendly environment where customers feel comfortable and cared for. The goal is simple: that every person who walks through the doors leaves feeling a little better than when they arrived.
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This people-first mindset has long been part of the store’s leadership. Conrad Thatcher, the franchisee behind the business, has been part of the Pick n Pay family since the age of sixteen. After working at head office, he became a franchise owner in Pietermaritzburg and has spent more than two decades building stores rooted in integrity and strong community values.
“I’ll never forget one of my first lessons,” Conrad reflects. “People, both customers and staff, are the most important.”
That philosophy continues to shape the store today.
When the team took over the Pick n Pay at The Avenues around eighteen months ago, their focus was clear: keep improving what the store offers while creating a positive, supportive environment for both customers and staff.
“Our staff here at The Avenues store are absolute champions,” Courtney Thatcher shares proudly. “Together we work to build a space of kindness, respect, fun, and learning from one another, and especially from our customers.”
Since arriving at The Avenues Centre, the team has refreshed the bakery, butchery, and deli service departments, expanded the range of speciality foods and fresh produce, and grown the home delivery service to better serve the community. Further improvements are already underway, including expanding the shop floor space and building a new back-of-house bakery and deli, along with a dedicated staff canteen.
At its core, Pick n Pay The Avenues is driven by a desire to add value to the lives of the Hilton community it serves. Helping families cook, gather, and share moments around the table.
Faces of the Avenues exists to celebrate businesses like this. Teams who care deeply about what they do, and the people they do it for.
Next time you’re visiting The Avenues Centre, pop into Pick n Pay, explore the shelves, try something new for dinner, and experience the heartbeat behind Hilton’s pantry.
