Shopping haven: Visitors looking at merchandise for sale at Penang Bazaar in the heart of bustling Penang Road, George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Many stallholders continue to stay put at once popular penang Bazaar as rent still affordable
PENANG Bazaar still evokes memories of a bygone era for many who return to visit the complex built in the early 20th century in Penang Road.
For some, it’s a trip down memory lane reminiscing on the past with friends at the place that was once a favourite haunt among bargain hunters.
Factory worker Zalinah Bashah, 55, who used to live in Rangoon Road, which is less than 1km away from the place, said that in the early 1990s, she would go to the bazaar at least once a week to shop and eat.
Penang Bazaar was called ‘Jual Murah’ by locals as the goods sold were affordable for everyone. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB and LIM BENG TATT/The Star
The bazaar would be bustling, especially during festivals as this was the go-to place for Penangites to shop for clothes, she said.
“After receiving my monthly salary, I would definitely come here to buy clothes.
“I remember there would be a Ramadan bazaar outside each time before Hari Raya.
Visitors checking out some of the merchandise at Penang Bazaar.
“Today, although it is much quieter, many of the stall operators at the bazaar remain and it is good to see some familiar items still being sold, such as the roasted chestnut stall outside,” said Zalinah, who had since moved to Bayan Lepas.
She also bumped into an old friend, Hamizah Mukhtar, during her recent visit.
Hamizah, a factory worker from Tapah, Perak, has been living in Penang since 1982.
“I would usually shop for scarves and dresses as well as school uniforms for my children here.
“The nearby ais tingkap dessert stall is my favourite,” said Hamizah.
The bazaar is located in the heart of bustling Penang Road in George Town and (below) an old photo of the building in earlier years.
She said these days she would get an ehailing ride instead of taking a bus to the bazaar.
Another regular, Danial Kassim, 70, said he had been patronising the stalls there for 10 years.
“Nothing beats the feeling of physical shopping.
“Here, I can touch the fabric before buying.
“If it does not fit, I can come back and exchange it.
“My friends even ask me to help them buy, as they say I have an eye for detail,” said Danial, who bought over a dozen sarong from a stall there.
A glorious past
Penang Bazaar was established in 1904 at its present site in George Town.
The locals called it “Jual Murah” as the goods sold were affordable.
It was built by “Towkay” Ng Boo Bee from Fujian province in China, who came to Malaya in the early 1880s before making a fortune in tin mining and railway construction.
Nazaruddin says they are facing stiff competition from online platforms.
He set up a trading spot along Penang Road for Hokkien migrants from China to conduct business.
Originally a wooden structure, the bazaar was rebuilt in 1937 as a two-storey concrete building after the original facade was destroyed in a fire.
In its heyday, traders sold mostly Chinese food, apparel and accessories.
From the 1930s to the 1950s, it had a restaurant on the first floor serving European cuisine.
After over 40 years running a clothing business, Bibi is considering calling it a day.
By the 1960s, many traders moved to their own shops, mostly to neighbouring Campbell Street.
Taking over their lots were mostly Malay traders, which is why until today, Penang Bazaar is one of the best places to shop for affordable Muslim apparel and textiles.
A department store called Shangdian once operated on the upper floor during the 1970s.
It closed down after several years because of stiff competition from Komtar, Penang’s oldest shopping centre.
Hopeful traders
Penang Bazaar had a face lift in 2000 but despite that, business is not what it used to be.
The management has also made efforts to beautify the place by adding decorative elements and painting the back lane.
Only about 70% of the shoplots are occupied, ranging from tailors to clothing and souvenir stalls.
Some traders sell bags and miscellaneous items.
The back lane of Penang Bazaar is sporting a more colourful look.
Many continue to benefit from cheap rental rates until today.
They cling to the hope that the place will be revived and return to its former glory.
Tailor Sahabdeen Mohd Hussain, 65, whose older brother started the business in 1984, is among those who remain hopeful.
He said they were told there were plans to introduce hawker stalls within the bazaar to attract more customers.
“Right now, almost all my customers are regulars.
“I hope to receive more orders from tourists.
Tan wants to be more visible to new customers, especially tourists.
“Business has been declining since the early 2000s.
“I get about three customers a day and thankfully, rental has remained affordable at about RM500 monthly,” he said.
Sahabdeen added that because of a lack of manpower, he was not keen to relocate, but had faith that Penang Bazaar would come back to life again.
Bag seller Tan Eng Khoon, 48, who occupies two lots at the bazaar, was glad that the upgrading and introduction of new stalls would be carried out as planned at the bazaar.
“I inherited this business from my father who started it about 30 years ago.
Danial (right) says nothing beats physical shopping. With him is sales assistant Lisa Fitriani Syamnatul Imran.
“Right now, we need to be more visible to new customers, especially tourists,” he said, adding that he saw profit only on weekends and holidays.
The management has been kind enough to maintain my rental for many years.
“If I move out, such a rate would not be offered elsewhere,” he said.
M. Bibi, 63, has been running a clothing business there for the past 40 years.
She may consider calling it a day as a drop in sales coupled with competition from online traders have taken a toll on her business.
“Similar products are being sold for much cheaper online.
Sahabdeen is hopeful as there are plans to introduce food stalls at the building, which can attract more customers.
“I cannot compete, but I understand that online shopping has its advantage and is convenient,” she said.
As such, she said there were hardly any local customers buying from her, adding that business had dropped by 80% compared to five years ago.
Born in Tanah Merah, Kedah, Bibi spent about 10 years in India for her studies before returning to Malaysia in 1974 to work as a tailor.
She started her business at the bazaar in 1982.
“After working tirelessly for 364 days a year with an off-day during Hari Raya, I may finally consider closing shop if I can clear half of my stock soon,” she said.
A check at the bazaar found it to be quiet even at noon.
Nazaruddin Nordin, 63, who has spent 25 years selling clothes there, said business this year was slower than usual.
“This year, Ramadan started right after the new school term, and parents had just spent a lot on their children.
“We are also facing stiff competition from online platforms,” he added.
