Hii welcoming customers to his stall at the food court in Jalan pahlawan, Sibu, where he sells Japanese food.
SIBU: Most people aspiring to set up their own food business are deterred by high start-up costs, which include high rental, purchase of furniture and renovation.
The newly-opened Jaya Li Hua Food Court in Jalan Pahlawan, set up by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), has fulfilled the dream of nine debutants.
Thanks to the council, the nine have set up their own stalls selling not only local but international delicacies.
The rental is just RM300 per month for a normal-sized stall while a bigger lot is RM600.
The council spent close to RM400,000 to renovate the old wet market to accommodate the food court.
Helenna Merikan, 52, was beaming when met at her stall, where she sells Dayak food such as asam pedas, manok pansoh (chicken in bamboo) and Dayak-style nasi lemak.
Helenna’s start-up capital was just RM1,500.
“This is my first time starting a food stall. A friend had encouraged me to apply to the council.
“Initially I was reluctant but as my sister and I are fond of cooking, I finally agreed to give it a try.
“I was selected by the council to take up a stall,” she said.
Helenna did not have to spend a large amount on the business as the basic facilities such as tables, chairs, sinks and shelves are provided by the council.
“I have only bought cooking utensils, crockery and gas tanks and, of course, food ingredients,” she added.
Despite being new in the food business, she is aiming to succeed.
“All stall owners here are very good to us and they encourage us. This makes me confident to do well,” said Helena.
Nelson Hii, 36, who serves Japanese food, is an experienced chef having worked at cafes in Singapore and in Muar, Johor.
“I was working in Muar when the pandemic hit the country.
“The cafe where I worked closed due to the pandemic so I was left with no job.
“My family then asked me to come back to Sibu,” he recalled.
Upon returning here, he ventured into selling Japanese food online.
When he heard that the council was inviting people to take up a stall at Jaya Li Hua, he grabbed the opportunity without a second thought.
“This is my first stall. I hope business will be good,” said Hii, who is running the stall on his own.
Drinks stall operator Kie Chang Chuong, 32, invested RM4,000 in the business, with a large chunk spent on a cendol-making machine.
“I consider this place strategic as there are a lot of people living here.
“The Sibu Bus Terminal is nearby, as well as a supermarket, bank, pharmacies and a number of other shops.
“When I saw SMC was renovating this place, I immediately went to their office and registered for a stall.
“We don’t have a proper food court as big as this one so this is a nice place.
“I hope people will stop by and try out all the delicacies we have to offer here, from Dayak food to Korean, Japanese and many more.
“For drinks, I have a variety of ‘ais kacang’,” he said.
