A kind of salty ocean scent waft through the air, mingled with all sorts of dried seafood. Upon setting foot in Kwang Yeow Heng, the classical 60’s/70’s seafood shop design and furnishing, the wide range of dried seafood neatly arranged from the inside to the outside of the shop, reminding people of old times.
This dried marine goods store located near the Central Market has been operating for over half a century, a well-established brand familiar to the neighbourhood, and is the only marine products specialty store in the area. The founder of Kwang Yeow Heng, Mr Hiah Siak Kee, is a nonagenarian. He recollects the hardships back in the early days while setting up the business, leaving his hometown in Teochew, China to migrate southwards to Malaysia, struggling to survive, being more hardworking than the others, did not dare slack off in the slightest. At present, Kwang Yeow Heng is among the top marine goods stores in Kuala Lumpur, systematic to an extent be it retail or wholesale. They also have their own brand of canned abalone, which is largely popular.
At Mr Hiah’s advanced age, the duty of succeeding Kwang Yeow Heng lies on his son-in-law, Mr Tee Xu Kai (transliteration), bearing witness to the great changes through time. At the moment, people would consider to sell the shop in this expensive city and to enjoy retirement. There are but few traditional stores still remaining to date, which is comforting. By progressing together with the times, only we can remain standing firmly.
Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen
有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Music : John Snow from Felt Music
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