Kuching stands at a crossroads, where modernisation and cultural heritage are locked in a delicate dance. The city is growing, transforming and evolving — but as glassy new developments rise, the echoes of its past fade. And I can’t help but wonder — does progress always have to come at the expense of history?
The vanishing legacy of family businesses
Take my dad’s sundry shop, for instance. A modest space that began as a tiny rental, no bigger than a walk-in closet, was founded by my great-grandfather who came from China with nothing but a dream.
Over the years, the shop became a cornerstone for families — selling school bags, rain boots, and uniforms, practical essentials for a town that relied on them. But modernisation doesn’t have time for sentimentality.
Soon, the shop will close — not because business is bad, but because the digital age has left it behind.
E-invoicing is the final nail in the coffin. For the older generation, navigating government digital systems feels like trying to learn TikTok dances overnight. Without a younger successor willing to take over, the shop’s legacy ends here.
Kuching’s changing landscape
And my dad’s shop isn’t alone. Walk through the heart of Kuching’s old town, and you’ll see it happening everywhere.
The ‘kopitiam’ where uncles once debated football scores over ‘kopi peng’? Replaced by a minimalist café serving oat milk lattes. The cobbler who could fix any pair of shoes, no matter how battered? Gone.
The textile store where aunties picked fabric for their daughter’s wedding cheongsam? Shuttered. Modernisation isn’t just changing the landscape — it’s rewriting the city’s DNA.
Businesses that evolved without losing their soul
Yet, not every old shop has faded into history. Some have figured out how to evolve without losing their soul. Take Nam Joo, a little café on Gambier Street.
Once a traditional grocery store, it transformed into a stylish coffee spot — but kept its roots alive.
Old ledger books and vintage weight beams now serve as décor, quietly whispering stories of the shop’s past.
The result? A space that feels fresh yet familiar, attracting locals, tourists, and social media influencers alike.
Then there’s Hup Ho and Ted Lin, two shops in the city area doing the same thing as Nam Joo. The best part of these shops is that the food is also local delicacies, which again promotes our Kuching culture.
These places aren’t just surviving; they’re thriving. And I wonder — could my dad’s shop have had a second act too?
Repackaging tradition: A missed opportunity?
Maybe instead of closing, it could have become a boutique selling artisanal leather goods. Or a nostalgia-themed café where kids could try on school uniforms just for fun.
Because here’s the thing: People don’t just buy products — they buy stories. Look at Kyoto. Its old shops still sell handcrafted kimonos and matcha desserts, but they’ve repackaged tradition into an experience. Renting out these kimonos, for example, would help tourists understand and appreciate the layers of beauty in the craft. Penang did it too, revitalising its street food culture into a global culinary phenomenon.
So why not Kuching? UNESCO has crowned Kuching as a City of Gastronomy — what better time to showcase what we’re made of? Imagine a food trail adventure where tourists collect “checkpoints” by visiting historic hawker stalls and legacy businesses. Think of it as a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you win a steaming bowl of Sarawak laksa.
The reality: Not every shop can reinvent itself
But let’s be real — not every shop can, or wants to, reinvent itself. For many older business owners, “pivoting” is as foreign as cryptocurrency. They’ve spent decades perfecting their craft, not their social media presence. And honestly? That’s okay. Not every story needs a plot twist. Some deserve to be remembered exactly as they were.
A call to action: What can we do?
So, where does that leave us? If we want to hold onto what’s left of Kuching’s heritage, we need to step up — not be nostalgic bystanders but as an active community. Entrepreneurs think of partnerships with younger generations who can bring fresh ideas while preserving tradition.
Policymakers create grants and training programmes to help traditional businesses navigate digital transformation. And as consumers? Show up. Buy from that family-run bookstore instead of defaulting to Shopee.
Have breakfast at the ‘kopitiam’before heading to Starbucks. Share the stories of these businesses before they become nothing more than a footnote in history.
Modernisation doesn’t have to mean erasure
Modernisation might be inevitable, but does it have to mean erasing the past? With a little creativity and heart, we can rewrite the rules — honouring where we’ve been while embracing where we’re going.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about preserving old buildings or businesses; it’s about holding onto the soul of a place. And here in Kuching, that soul is a story worth telling — and always worth saving.
● Jasmine Ng Kia Mian, School of Design and Arts, Faculty of Business, Design and Arts, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
