Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Provision shop uncle: 'It's time to move on'

This article is more than 12 months old
Provision shop uncle: 'It's time to move on'
After 69 years, Mr Wong Ah Chai (above) is calling it a day. TNP PHOTO: FOO JIE YING
Foo Jie Ying
Reporter
Sep 23, 2017 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

After almost seven decades of running a neighbourhood provision shop, Mr Wong Ah Chai is finally calling it a day.

Tomorrow, the 80-year-old will close the shutters on Lian Seng Dept Store & Provision Shop at Block 678, Hougang Avenue 8, ending the three-generation family business for good.

The shop, the size of a four-room HDB flat, will make way for a tuition centre.

"I'm tired. I've been doing this for 69 years, and it's hard work. If you were to work here, you would give up and leave after just three days," said Mr Wong, wagging his finger.

He declined to say how much he sold the shop for.

Lian Seng's roots can be traced back to Pulau Tekong, where Mr Wong was born.

Naiise closes last store at Jewel, may wind up operations
Singapore

Naiise shutters last store at Jewel, may cease operations

Apr 12, 2021

Related Stories

Putting up shelves? Here's what you need to know

Shopping sprees and ocean getaways

Grab the biggest deals at Harvey Norman's Exclusive Big Brands Sale

At 11, he began at his grandfather's provision shop, which served 5,000 islanders. It also sold fish - some caught by Mr Wong, who loved to fish.

After his marriage at 22, he took over the running of the store with his wife and their three sons.

In 1987, the Wongs moved,following plans to turn Pulau Tekong into a military base. Given a relocation fee, they moved to a flat near the shop they were allocated in Hougang.

Lian Seng was a hit, but when supermarket giants started coming up, business dwindled.

"People came only to buy items they needed urgently. They buy everything else from supermarkets," said eldest son Wong Woo Ling, 56.

The rise of online grocers was another blow.

When The New Paper visited on Wednesday, the shop was half-empty - Mr Wong had been clearing stock.

"People tell me it's a pity, but the business has run its course. It's time to move on," he said.

A regular customer, Ms Sim Hui Hwang, said: "What makes them stand out from the retail giants is their warm and friendly service."

Retirement means Mr Wong can now go back to his childhood love. "I've arranged to take a boat out next week to go fishing," he said with a smile.

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

ShoppingFamilyBusiness

Foo Jie Ying

Reporter
fjieying@sph.com.sg
Read articles by Foo Jie Ying
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Gas blast during hotpot meal costs woman her new job
Singapore

Gas blast during hotpot meal cost woman her new job

Apr 05, 2021
Man on trial for molesting woman didn’t think she meant her ‘stop’
Singapore

Man on trial for molest: I don't think she meant it when she said 'stop'

Apr 06, 2021
HDB resale prices up for 9 months in a row, could pass all-time high
Singapore

HDB resale prices up for 9 months in a row, could pass all-time high

Apr 09, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E