Root44 in Stellenbosch has announced that it will close until further notice, saying the decision was made with “great sadness” and would affect jobs, traders and families.
In a notice addressed to the “Root44 family”, the Root44 team said it had received no support from Stellenbosch Municipality during what it described as a difficult time. The notice did not give a reopening date or state how many people had lost work.
Root44 Closure Announced Until Further Notice
The Root44 closure adds fresh uncertainty for traders, staff and visitors linked to the popular Stellenbosch destination. In its statement, Root44 said jobs had been lost, dreams had been affected, and many families would feel the impact.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” the Root44 team said in the notice. The team also thanked every trader, customer, staff member and supporter who had been part of its journey.
Root44 said it had received “no support from the Stellenbosch Municipality” during the difficult period. However, the statement did not explain what support had been requested or whether formal talks had taken place.
At the time of publication, Newsroom had not found a fresh public statement from Stellenbosch Municipality responding to the latest Root44 closure notice.
Closure Follows Earlier Root44 Restaurant Shutdown
The latest Root44 closure follows reports earlier in June that Root44 Restaurant in Stellenbosch had closed permanently. The South African reported on 10 June 2026 that the restaurant had announced its closure on its official social media pages and thanked customers for their support over the years.
Root44 has long been linked to the wider Stellenbosch tourism and food market scene. Its website describes the venue as a meeting place for young and old, with traders, food offerings, mountain views and vineyards.
The Root44 market has also featured in reports about a long-running land-use dispute. News24 reported in July 2025 that the Root44 Wine Emporium and weekend market property was being sold after a prolonged zoning dispute involving Stellenbosch Municipality and the property owners.
Background To The Stellenbosch Dispute
In a 2021 public statement, Stellenbosch Municipality said it was aware of what it called misrepresentations about the Root44 development. The municipality said a land-use application had been approved in 2009 for a tourist facility presented as a wine emporium.
A 2025 SMF News report also said Root44 had been a site of contention over land-use regulations and zoning definitions. The report quoted municipal communications manager Stuart Grobbelaar and Galetti Corporate Real Estate CEO John Jack on concerns linked to traffic congestion and complaints.
For now, the Root44 closure leaves traders and customers waiting for clarity. The Root44 team ended its notice by saying goodbye “with heavy hearts”.