Nostalgic farewell to old Hainanese coffee shop
GEORGE TOWN: It was a nostalgic end for the near century old traditional Hainanese coffee shop in Lebuh Hutton here, as it opened for business for the last time yesterday.
Loyal customers of Kong Thai Lai packed the place since early morning to get their last fill of roti kahwin (butter and kaya on toasted bread) paired with soft-boiled eggs washed down with local coffee before the operator moved to the new premises at Lebuh Leith.
Locals and tourists could be seen signing their names on the walls and taking pictures.
The steady stream of customers kept Gary Tan, 57, the third generation operator busy but he could not keep the emotion from his voice, knowing that he has to close the business started by his grandfather.
He, however, was optimistic about the move to the new place and hoped regulars will follow him there. – by Edmund Lee