Museum, Thurston Gardens to be sold for $4M, and also Borron House?
Feejee Island Traders Heritage Mall at Knollys St, Suva
 Carolyn Ah Koy A taste of history at the mall Frederica Elbourne Sunday, August 04, 2013 THE former home of Fijian high chief Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is the latest rave in Suva. Following months of careful and major renovation, the white-painted wooden mansion with its matching white picket fence is now Feejee Island Traders Heritage Mall. Tucked at the corner of Riley and Knollys streets, 46-50 Knollys St to be precise, it is the newest heritage attraction in Suva. The mall was quietly opened last month and houses Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant, three themed private dining and meeting rooms (Captains Table, Explorers Room, Bosuns Quarters), South Seas Treasures Fine Furniture and Exotic Gift store, Karalina's Fiji Designer Boutique and a real estate office, Fiji Real Estate Centre. Parking is no problem as there is onsite parking space for 15 vehicles on Riley St. Just five minutes from Suva's CBD and major downtown hotels, this sprawling 70-year-old plus estate, spills over four lots and has the ambience of taking you back in time. "The mall can be likened to a mini museum," said Ken Macdonald who with his wife Carolyn Ah Koy, are owners of what may very well be Fiji's first of its kind. At the heart of the mall is the air conditioned Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant, an instant hit among patrons, which has been filled to its 50-seat capacity in as many days since it was opened. Its airy ambience with white-painted walls is matched with old A3 size pages of The Fiji Times and some dating back to 1918 that serve as placemats. Bright coloured mix-and-match upholstered dining chairs and wall-to-wall collection of framed vintage photos add to the ethereal make-up of the place. Posters, artifacts and antiques adorn the walls and special little areas like the loft in the main dining room where a fun interpretation of Suva's Kings Wharf in 1905 is displayed, add to its interesting interior. "The restoration is dedicated to the picturesque scenery and romanticism that Pacific islands have always been known for," Mr MacDonald said. The restaurant's outdoor dining area along its garden verandah can cater for 40 people at any one time. Wide covered verandah with period gardens set the mood for the overall theme of Fiji and the Pacific Islands — pre 1950. The restaurant opens from 8am to midday for breakfast, or just enjoy a speciality coffee or tea with freshly baked goodies. Full story |   Renowned chef Lance Seeto - photo was taken during the filming of his TV show test run at Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant  Legacy crushed. Bainimarama regime makes no effort to preserve Ratu Sukuna's memory |
Birds of Money-Making Feather: Ah Koy and Bainimarama
