GEORGE TOWN: Traditional Hainanese coffeeshop Kong Thai Lai, which will soon relocate after operating at its current premises in Hutton Lane here for almost a century, has been getting great goodbye messages from its customers.
Its regular patrons as well as first-time local and foreign guests have been penning such messages on its interior tiled walls since June when its operator, Tan Jeng Seow, decided to let his customers ink their memories of the place.
Among the messages are “Gonna miss you”, “Thanks for the lovely breakfast”, “Best coffee in Penang” and “I love your toast bread”.
Kong Thai Lai, popular for its coffee, toasted bread and half-boiled eggs, has operated at its current premises since Tan’s grandfather opened the outlet in 1920.
Its most famous customer was the late Penang tycoon Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, who was known for his almost-daily visits there.
It has also been reported that “Sugar King” Robert Kuok had been to the eatery in 2011 and liked the coffee there so much that he bought an additional 8kg of coffee powder to take home.
Tan said that the shop would wind down its present operations on Sept 27 and start afresh at a shoplot 800m away in nearby Leith Street on Oct 2.
“I wanted my customers to leave their best memories of the coffeeshop on its walls. The messages started to flood in quickly and many customers personally conveyed their messages to me too,” he said.
Tan, who has to move out following an eviction notice from the current landowner, said the layout of his new coffeeshop and kitchen would resemble the old shop.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
