By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
WATERFALLS – For Marshall Baradzanwa, the owner of Parkwash Liquor and Grill, success isn’t just measured in profits, but in the sound of laughter close to home and the knowledge that his neighbours are getting home safely.
What began as a simple car wash in 2021 has blossomed into a vibrant community hub, now celebrating its second anniversary as a liquor store and grill on 15 November 2025.
The journey from washing cars to serving cocktails is a story of observing a need and filling it with a very personal touch.
Marshall Baradzanwa, Owner
“It started just as a car wash. It was one of the first car washes to be opened in Waterfalls,” Baradzanwa recalls. But he soon noticed a gap.
“Whilst people are getting their car washed, they had nothing else to do. So, they would end up going to the shops to fetch food, to fetch drinks.”
This simple observation was the seed. In 2023, he launched Parkwash Liquor and Grill, expanding the brand from its automotive roots. But his motivation ran deeper than just business.
“The other reason,” he explains, stemmed from his own experience. “For me to have a good time, I had to drive all the way from Waterfalls . . . to the north, which is probably plus or minus 25 kilometres.”
The problem came at the end of the night. “You’re now drunk. Driving back here is dangerous because you have to drive 30 kilometers back home whilst you are intoxicated.”
This concern for community safety became his driving mission. He wanted to create a classy, enjoyable spot right in the heart of Waterfalls.
“It was good for the community to know that . . . it’s actually a walk away distance from their home. They come here, they have their drinks, they can walk home.”
His vision resonated. The place, as he puts it, “worked out.” Parkwash now boasts a loyal clientele, from “medium to high-end people,” who have embraced it as their local. The success is visible in the constant evolution of the space.
“We renovate almost after six months to bring something new,” Baradzanwa says, a testament to his commitment to keeping the experience fresh for his guests.
What started with a busy Saturday has now grown, with nights like Thursday’s games night seeing the place full until after midnight.
“We’re actually on Wednesday to sit and think what can we give our clients. . . until we fill up the whole week,” he says with ambition.
And the story doesn’t end in Waterfalls. Buoyed by his success and guided by his original principle, Baradzanwa has his sights set on expansion.
“Yes, in 2026 you are looking into expanding the brand into the north,” he confirms. The reason is a mirror of his initial inspiration.
“We have the same clients who are driving all the way from the north coming to this end and after that they have to drive back to the north. So, there is actually a really huge demand.”
On 15 November 2025, Parkwash Liqour and Grill will mark its second anniversary with a concert featuring Pretty Gangsta, DJ Nette, DJ MKay, MC Thembie, TakuMadeTheBeat and DJ Oslato.
From a car wash to a community pillar, and soon to a brand serving new neighbourhoods, Marshall Baradzanwa’s story is a reminder that the best businesses are often born not just from a desire to sell, but from a desire to solve a problem for the people right next door.
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