After 85 years, old school Tiong Bahru provision store Pin Pin Piau Kay & Co is closing for good

The shop has seen three generations of owners, with the latest being Mr Rodney Goh who took over the business in 1982

The decision to close the business and sell the property followed the death of Mr Goh's mother two years ago

On Friday, Mr Goh and his family held a farewell party to thank their many loyal customers

At 75, Ms Connie has been patronising Pin Pin Piau Kay & Co almost every day for close to 44 years. On Friday (March 31), she visited the provision shop one final time — not to buy groceries but to say goodbye.

After 85 years, three generations of owners, the turmoil of World War II and various other crises such as Covid-19, the old school provision shop along Seng Poh Road at Tiong Bahru is closing its doors.

Ms Connie, who declined to give her full name, admitted she was "disappointed" at the closure as she had formed strong bonds and friendships at the store after first buying goods from Mr Goh's father.

During the pandemic, she took to sitting in a chair near the shop as she was bored at home.

On Friday, the family running the store held a small farewell party as a way to thank their loyal customers such as Ms Connie for their steadfast support over the years.

When TODAY visited the store at around 9.30am, third generation owner Rodney Goh, 68, was setting up chairs while his wife prepared snacks and drinks on a table set up in the middle of the store.

Mr Goh's grandfather, an immigrant from Xiamen, China set up the shop in 1938, just before the outbreak of World War II, which meant a turbulent first few years for the business.

Mr Goh's father, who had remained in China, came to Singapore in 1949, once the war and Japanese occupation were well and truly over.

On Friday, the once-heaving grocery shelves were mostly empty save for some laundry and cleaning essentials, while standalone fridges were still well stocked with drinks.

Even though it was a weekday, the store was bustling with long-time customers, friends and relatives who turned out to help Mr Goh and his family mark a poignant moment in the neighbourhood's history.

Still, the mood was upbeat and had it not been for the makeshift banners around the store detailing the farewell party, it would have been easy to mistake the laughter and smiles for the celebration of a new shop opening.

As the guests arrived, Mr Goh constantly ran around greeting them, chatting and swapping memories with old customers.

He also invited them to sign their guestbook — which is to serve as a keepsake to mark the many friendships they have forged with residents of Tiong Bahru.

Nuria Ling/TODAY

Mr Rodney Goh, third-generation owner of provision store Pin Pin Piau Kay & Co, sells a broom to a customer on the last day of business on March 31, 2023.

SAYING GOODBYE

Since 1982, Mr Goh has been the face of Pin Pin Piau Kay & Co, which has stuck to its long-held formula of offering a range of necessities at affordable prices even as modernity has made its mark all around the shop.

After a seven-year banking career, he quit that white-collar job to take over the business from his mother and retiree father.

Some 41 years later, Mr Goh has decided to close the business for good after a death in the family two years ago.

"Since my mother passed two years ago, my siblings and I decided to put the property up for sale. I've spent my lifetime here and made a lot of friends but all good things must come to an end," said Mr Goh tearfully.

“Since my mother passed two years ago, my siblings and I decided to put the property up for sale. I've spent my lifetime here and made a lot of friends but all good things must come to an end.

A tearful Rodney Goh, 68, third-generation owner of Pin Pin Piau Kay & Co provision store”

"It's been a very long journey but it's been very fulfilling. My family and my children all grew up here and I've cherished the everlasting friendships I've made."

As TODAY moved around the gathering with Mr Goh as he greeted guests, he was clear about what he would miss the most about running the shop.

"I would miss the food in Tiong Bahru market!" he laughed.

"It has been my kitchen for the past 50 over years! But I'll also miss the friends we've made over the years," he added.

"Sometimes when we are busy, especially during the festive periods, we would have residents who come and buy food for us. They've almost become like a second family to us."

THE LOSS OF A COMMUNITY NODE

Another customer, 70-year-old former flight steward Choon Yoong On, said that in recent times he mostly visited the shop for the conversations with Mr Goh.

"I moved here two years ago and that's when I met Rodney. I've been coming to the shop almost every day to talk to him and it is through our conversations that I get to know more about Tiong Bahru," he said.

"Absolutely I will miss this place because he (Mr Goh) is a great part of the heritage in Tiong Bahru."

“Absolutely I will miss this place because he (Mr Goh) is a great part of the heritage in Tiong Bahru.

Customer Choon Yoong On, 70

”Mr Warren, 37, a creative director who has been patronising the shop for close to five years after moving into the estate, sees the place as something of a heritage icon for the community.

It's also a kind of second home that reminds him of his younger days when he would pass by the shop en route to visiting his grandparents, said Mr Warren, who declined to give his full name.

Another customer, Ms Carolyn, said the provision shop has served a crucial community function by offering an old school retail option for elderly residents who may not know how to use the computer or buy groceries online.

"Pin Pin is the last old school provision shop in the estate," said Ms Carolyn, who declined to give her full name.

"When Pin Pin closes, the estate is going to be missing a very important social character, somebody who is very much the glue who holds things together. It's a very strong example of past, present and future, and he straddles all that."

Source:
courtesy of TODAY

by JASMINE ONG

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