No more KFC colonel’s familiar face on colonial mansion.
Customers flock to colonial mansion for one last finger lickin’ good time
GEORGE TOWN: One of the oldest KFC outlets is closing its doors after more than three decades of operations.
Many customers recalled their memories patronising the outlet here in Larut Road, popularly known as “KFC Castle”, during the early days for it was the craze to dine there.
Enjoying his “last meal” in the outlet on its last day yesterday, Nazeri Mohd Noor, 43, said he found his first job and met his wife there.
“I used to be a customer when I was a kid. After my SPM in 1993, I started working here and am now a northern area manager.
“This outlet brings nostalgic memories as my friends and I used to work here together before getting transferred to other outlets.
“I used to stay at the hostel on the upper floor of the building,” he said.
Penang Museum operation assistant Muhamad Syukri, 28, also brought his family to dine there for one last time.
“We used to celebrate big occasions and our birthdays here,” he said.
Muhamad Syukri’s wife, Hazalina Zakaria, said the outlet was always full of customers. “It is sad that they have to close it down. “My parents used to bring me here when I was a kid.
“We also knew some of the OKU staff, who were very friendly to us,” said the 24-year-old assistant engineer.
Muhamad Syukri’s mother Rosnani Saad said the outlet used to be where she went on dates.
“My husband was a maintenance manager at a hotel nearby, and we always came here to
enjoy our meals,” the 45-year-old housewife said.
College student Lim Tze Zhen, 22, said she would miss the outlet as it was a hang-out place for her group of friends.
“It’s nice and has a colonial feel to it and a walking distance from my college,” said Lim.
One of the staff said he and his colleagues had been working non-stop since morning.
“Customers started crowding the outlet when they heard that it would be closed.
“We will continue serving until the last customer as this place is nostalgic and memorable for many of them,” he said.
QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azahari Mohamed Kamil said the KFC outlet first began operating in April 1987.
He said both the company and building owner came to a mutual agreement not to renew the tenancy, adding that the 22 staff members would be transferred to other outlets.
The building was built in 1916 for Lim Cheng Teik, who was a municipal commissioner and a tycoon, and called the Limburg Castle Mansion.
According to the book “The Penang House and The Straits Architect 1887-1941”, Lim was described as “probably the most travelled Chinese in Malaya”.
Limburg Castle is also described as among the most outstanding landmarks of the 1900s.