A visit to The Pottery is usually at the top of the to-do list for many kids and teens during their weekends and school holidays. But, these days, the extensive food menu, outstanding coffee, and intermittent ‘sip & paint’ nights mean it’s an exciting destination for adults too.

With its warm, Bali-inspired décor and chilled, coastal vibes, The Pottery is where you can come as you are, connect with friends, and get creative.
Owned by husband-and-wife team Dillon and Jocelyn Marshall, you would never say, looking at it today, that The Pottery began as a small coffee shop in an old pottery factory on the main street in George on the Garden Route.

When they returned to South Africa after several years working on yachts, Dillon and Jocelyn decided to fulfill their dream of opening a café reminiscent of their many trips to Bali.

Dillon is the son of prominent South African ceramicist Di Marshall, who founded the world-famous Wonki Ware tableware range (used by celebrity chefs Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver).

They opened their coffee shop in his mother’s old pottery factory. “Wonki Ware had outgrown the space, which hadn’t been used in years. It was small, rustic and charming, and that’s what we loved about it,” he says. “We had a coffee machine, a tiny kitchen, and a pizza oven and we ran it as a two-man show for a few years.”

Having endured long shifts and hard working conditions in the yachting industry, Dillon and Jocelyn were well-equipped for the demanding hours and hard work. They hired locals Thembi and Frieda to help out and all were going at full pace when COVID hit. “I went online to see how we could continue trading. We became an authorised food vendor and were able to run a takeaway business. We worked harder during those months than ever before.”

Having grown a substantial social media following during COVID, the store was inundated with customers when lockdown was lifted. “We finally started making some money and were even able to hire waiters, which we never had before,” laughs Dillon. “We also offered ceramic plate painting as a little sideline to the coffee shop.”

When the couple considered opening a second café, they decided they wanted to be on the KZN North Coast – specifically at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. “We loved the ethos of the centre and the fact that they supported small, owner-run businesses. Our initial plan was to be a café with a Wonki Ware retail area and a bit of plate painting on the side, but we could never have known that the ceramic painting would be in such demand. Everyone wanted to paint pottery!”

As soon as it opened, The Pottery took off like wildfire and Dillon admits he was unprepared. “We were completely surprised and overwhelmed. Our business was flipped on its head!”

But, with the support of the Ballito Lifestyle Centre management team, Dillon and Jocelyn managed to turn their café-come-creative-space into something phenomenal. And their magic recipe has continued to grow, countrywide!

Now with five stores (in George, Camps Bay, Ballito, Jeffery’s Bay and Stellenbosch), and two more opening soon (one in Bali!), Dillon and Jocelyn are still working incredibly hard. And they have a newborn baby boy.

“We have learned so much on this journey and are incredibly proud of our stores, which are all doing phenomenally. We now have over 100 staff members and a factory in George where we produce all our authentic ceramics for painting. Luckily, I grew up learning a thing or two about running a ceramics factory,” he laughs.

“We started as just two young entrepreneurs, ‘shooting from the hip’ with no genuine business experience or capital. We have never been big and flashy, and we are continually learning as we go.”

Opening at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre was the turning point in their business, and the true catalyst for their success, says Dillon. “I’m so grateful to the community and to the Ballito Lifestyle Centre team, especially Bruce, for the incredible opportunity and mentoring us through it. We have felt supported and at home here from the first day.”

The Pottery is about enjoying life, creatively – whether you choose to paint or simply connect with friends and family over a coffee or a delicious meal. It’s about embracing community and bringing people together.