Larkin Sentral terminal is expected to be bustling with activity during Chinese New Year. — Filepic
SOME traders in Johor Baru plan to stay open for business on the first day of the Lunar New Year, something they have been doing for many years.
Costume jewellery business owner Lee Kwan Tet said he had been operating on the first day of Chinese New Year for the last 30 years.
He said most Chinese-owned shops in Larkin Sentral terminal would remain open.
Unlike many retail shops that choose to close during this period, Lee expects Larkin Sentral to be bustling with activity.
“It will be busy with commuters as well as Singaporean visitors during the Chinese New Year period,” he said.
Lee and his wife Irene Wong will instead close their shop on the second day as relatives from Singapore will be visiting them at their home in Stulang Laut.
“We have two family reunions – a dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year with family members and a lunch on the second day with our Singaporean relatives.”
Grace Wong, who runs a mobile phone shop at Perling Mall, said she had remained open for business for the first three days of Chinese New Year for the last five years.
“My family and my husband’s family don’t make a big fuss about not having a reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve,” she said.
She said her mother, who stays in Kuala Lumpur, would return to their Kluang house on the fourth day for a family gathering while her husband and their two daughters would go to his parent’s home on the first day of the festivities.
Grace added that business had been rather slow since the Covid-19 pandemic, which was why many owners opted to operate during the festive period.
Another Perling Mall business owner, Peter Han, who runs a watch shop, said he preferred to remain open during the holiday period as he anticipates many will return to Johor Baru from other states.
He plans to close only on the first day of Chinese New Year.
“Unlike the bigger malls, all shops at Perling Mall remain open during the festive period.
“Many Singaporeans with houses in Taman Perling and nearby housing estates usually come to shop at the mall during the holiday period,” he said.