Anything under the sun: Traders at Lorong Kulit flea market sell everything from pre-loved clothes to local fruits. — K.T.GOH/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The traders at Lorong Kulit flea market are slowly but surely making up for lost time from the pandemic.
Known as Ropewalk among locals, the place was a hidden gem in Penang during its heyday.
Almost anything could be found here, from antiques to everyday items like clothes, food and beverages, and fresh fruits.
When the Covid-19 pandemic first hit the country, many of the traders were not able to ply their business for more than two years.
The situation, however, improved after the authorities lifted many pandemic restrictions, but it is still not the same as in pre-pandemic days.
Pre-loved clothes traders Baharuddin Sahul Hameed, 64, who has been earning his daily income at the flea market for 25 years, said although the business is still slow, things are improving gradually.
“I admit there are not as many visitors compared with before the pandemic, but patrons – regular and new – still come to this place, especially on weekends and public holidays,” he said.
“The rent is cheap at only RM15 per month, and if I am hardworking enough, I can break even easily,” he said, adding that most of his regular customers now were migrant workers.
Another trader, Ong Choon Kee,36, also felt that business now was slow compared with before the pandemic.
“Last time during weekends, I could not even have time for a break, but now fewer people are coming here,” he said.
Ong, who sells second-hand handphones and accessories, said the local authorities should promote the Lorong Kulit flea market as a tourist attraction.
Fruit seller Norizhan Abdul Rahman, 68, said he is grateful that he can still ply his trade at the flea market.
“Every day I come here to sell fruits – if I am not well, my son will help me. It is something we have been doing for more than 10 years here,” he said.
He added that although business was not as good as before, he feels it would improve as long as there is no new Covid-19 threat.
Lorong Kulit Petty Traders Association chairman Cheah Ui Hong said currently there are about 350 active traders at the flea market.
He said business at the once popular area has dwindled and it is only packed on weekends.
“Before the pandemic, during weekends it was good here, and every trader ... could earn a decent income, but now business is quite slow,” he said.
He said the once famous Ropewalk should be reinvigorated through promotions by the local authorities and even the state government.
He said the place should be listed in the tourism calendar of Penang and promoted as one of the “must visit” places.
Established officially in 1996, the Lorong Kulit flea market is open from 8am to 2pm daily.
It is divided into four sections – food courts, general items, fruit stalls and stalls on three-wheelers.
