As part of our look into Greyton’s evolving history, we caught up with long-time resident and shop owner Allan Gerstner, who has called the village home for over 50 years. Best known as the friendly face behind Zippy’s Convenience Store, Allan has witnessed the slow and steady transformation of Greyton — from a quiet rural outpost to the vibrant, sought-after destination it is today.
When Allan arrived in Greyton on 1st March 1975, the village looked very different. The road in from Caledon was still gravel, electricity had yet to arrive, and kerosene lamps and generators lit up homes and shops. There were no restaurants, no roaming horses, and no weekenders — just a close-knit, self-sustaining farming village.
“I still remember the town had three general dealers, Ons Winkel supermarket, two butcheries, two cafés, and two petrol stations,” Allan recalls. “We even had our own municipality, with a town clerk and mayor.”
Allan’s parents bought a farm in Greyton and soon Allan took over the local fish and chip shop and renamed it Zippy’s — the name that still brings a smile to many residents today.
When asked what he hopes Greyton holds onto: “That we don’t lose our sense of community. That we keep things simple and neighbourly. My advice to new residents? Get involved, support local, and don’t complain unless you’ve tried helping.”
