KUCHING: The opening of The Gourmand flagship store at Wisma Elica here marks more than the expansion of a retail business, as it reflects growing confidence in Kuching and creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs, suppliers and workers.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said new businesses entering Kuching South represented investment and confidence in the city while creating more economic opportunities for the local community.
“Whenever a new business opens in Kuching South, I always look at it from more than just a business perspective. To me, it means confidence in our city, investment, and more opportunities for our local suppliers and entrepreneurs, and most importantly, more jobs for our people.
“This is the kind of growth that we want to see in Kuching South,” he said during the grand opening of The Gourmand flagship store at Wisma Elica here today (Sept 5).
Wee also stressed that economic development must go hand in hand with sustainability, particularly in reducing plastic waste and encouraging more environmentally responsible business practices.
He welcomed the use of fully biodegradable self-destructing plastic bags certified under the SIRIM Eco-Label, noting that the initiative was in line with efforts to reduce the long-term environmental impact of plastic waste.
“Sustainability cannot depend on one business model. We need everyone to play a part,” he said, urging businesses to review their packaging, consumers to reduce unnecessary plastic use, suppliers to introduce greener alternatives, and the council to continue promoting recycling, waste reduction and circular economy initiatives.
He said sustainable development is also about building a strong and inclusive local economy by creating opportunities for local producers and entrepreneurs to gain market access.
“For small local entrepreneurs, getting a product onto a supermarket can be a very important first step. It gives them visibility and access to customers.
“When their businesses grow, they can employ more people, purchase more local products and create more economic activities within our city. This is how we build a sustainable local economy,” he said.
Wee said the 15,000-square-foot flagship store is encouraging as it went beyond conventional retail by offering casual dining, a self-serve noodle bar and a demonstration kitchen for cooking demonstrations and product testing.
He expressed hope that the space would also serve as a platform to showcase more local products and promote Kuching’s food identity, particularly as the city is recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
“We should continue to connect our food heritage with entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability so that our gastronomy sector can create greater economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elica Equity Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Datuk Bobby Ting said the opening of The Gourmand marked another milestone in the redevelopment of Wisma Elica, which now brings together voco Kuching, Care Collective and an expanding mix of retail and lifestyle offerings.
He said The Gourmand was chosen for its ambition to introduce a different shopping experience to Kuching through a carefully selected range of products, quality fresh produce and items that may not be readily available locally.
“Kuching is growing and changing, and I believe there is an increasing appetite for new concepts and better experiences.
“The Gourmand is a good example of how a local business is prepared to invest, innovate and bring something different to our city,” he said.
