Hidden gems

Not many shops are operating anymore at the Ipoh Central Building. - RONNIE CHIN/The Star

Ipoh Central Market, which used to be a hive of activity and housed many small shops offering goods and services for daily needs, is now in a state of gloom.

These days, fewer businesses are found to be operating on the upper floors of the building – where the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) is also located – and most of the shops are open only half-day.

The popularity of the building among Ipoh city folk started to see a decline following the closure of Super Kinta Departmental Store, the anchor tenant, in 2006.

The place became more quiet when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.

However, the wet market on the ground floor and the UTC continue to provide some colour and liveliness to the building.

A walk around the three-storey facility offers one the opportunity to discover hidden gems in the form of small shops selling fruit, flowers, souvenirs, vinyl records and even tailoring services.

Mohd Shukri Amal, 53, who runs a shop called Amarru Jeans Repair, is thankful for his regular customers who have helped to keep the business going.

He said his customers were from Malaysia, Singapore and even Japan.

Explaining how he acquired customers from Japan, Shukri said when the Super Kinta Departmental Store was established in the 1980s, it was the biggest store in Ipoh and drew many tourists.

“These tourists would explore the smaller shops in the building, and that was when they started visiting my shop to have alterations done.

“Over time, many became my friends.

“Some of them still come looking for me to alter their clothes, especially jeans, whenever they visit Ipoh,” he said. Though he always had an interest in clothes alteration, Shukri said there were no institutions where one could learn the skill at the time.

“I learned how to repair clothes, especially jeans, on my own, and in 1986, I set up a shop.

“My wife and three children also help me as I have opened another shop in Jalan Sultan Idris Shah.”

Shukri said he decided to rent the new store because of concerns that he would one day have to close his original shop, judging from the few tenants who remained there.

He also said that many traders were renting the shops at the market building just to store their goods.

Another long-time tenant is Melor Baharudin, 61, who runs a business making souvenir glass casings with her husband Zamri Mohd Hanapiah, 67.

The couple, who have been running the business for the past 40 years, also sell souvenirs purchased from a third party.

“We get orders for celebrations and events.

“We cannot rely on walk-ins because not many people know that such shops exist in this building.

“We have to advertise our business otherwise it will be difficult to sustain,” Melor said.

V. Nadarasa, 67, who sells stationery and sweets at his shop called Super Bookstore, set up the business 40 years ago.

He said business was good until the department store closed its doors.

“I used to sell toys and sports equipment those days.

“Children who visited my shop would beg their mothers to buy them these things.

“But now, children are glued to their electronic gadgets and are not interested in buying toys,” he lamented.

Nadarasa recalled how children then would often buy footballs or badminton rackets, especially during the World Cup or Thomas Cup competitions.

“I guess these days, children prefer to sit in the comfort of their homes and watch the games. They have no interest in outdoor activities.

“My two children have been telling me to close the store, but I just cannot sit at home and do nothing.

“During better times, I used to operate my shop from 7am to 7pm.

“But in the last few years, I have been closing by 1pm,” he said.

Cheng Ah Lek, 80, who sells old vinyl records and cassettes on the third floor, patiently waits for customers.

He opens his shop only for three hours daily because there are hardly any customers.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made it worse for the 22-year-old Perniagaan Nanyang, he said.

“Before the pandemic, I had regulars from all over the country who would come for their favourite records or cassettes.”

Cheng caters to listeners of English, Malay and Chinese music.

In his collection, he has more than 2,000 records, featuring legends such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Platters and Paul Anka.

Also on sale at his shop are several types of erhu (a two-stringed bowed musical instrument from China).

Before the pandemic, a group of friends would gather in front of his shop on Sundays to play the erhu over a cup of coffee.

Along the same row is a tailor shop belonging to Azizah Muhamad Mukhtar, who said business has definitely been slow, more so because her shop is located in a hidden spot.

“I rely on my regulars who recommend my business to their family and friends.

“It is difficult to find customers daily because I only get orders during festive periods like Hari Raya, or during important events,” Azizah said, adding that the low rental charged by Ipoh City Council has enabled her to continue operating.