Come Shopping in George Town’s Old General Store Penang, experience the old style of the ’60s, and find a dream book treasure!
For a shopping spree off the beaten path, try heading to George Town’s old general store in Lebuh Noordin, Penang. Shopping in George Town is not just about chilling in the shopping malls.
If curious, walk down the streets and look at the old businesses.
This is where true blue Penangites drop by to buy and bargain. Quaint and Old-Style, these general stores have just about everything you need and more.
Most of the time, you cannot find the items in malls.
George Town’s Old General Store
Septuagenarian Chen Sin Tat started his general store, Sim Aik General Trading, at 136 Lebuh Noordin, Penang, almost sixty years ago.
Since 1960, the little general store has continued with brisk business, mainly from regulars who continue patronizing and supporting the business today.
Chen explained that in Penang Hokkien, his store is called “Eow Huan Tiam” and not a “Chap Hoay Tiam,” which means sundry shop.
Malaysian Shophouse – Old General Store
Like many old Penangites, he lives in the terrace house behind and above his shop.
The general store is neatly arranged but filled with useful items.
From sandals to school shoes to safety shoes and boots, it is the proverbial hypermarket of the old school, selling stationery, school uniforms, toiletries, flasks, gloves, pillowcases, bedsheets, combs, and Chinese wedding supplies and decorations.
“My customers have become like old friends to me. I have seen four generations of customers who have grown up before my eyes.
From the grandfathers to the fathers, the sons and now even the grandchildren are here to buy their necessities.”
Senior Chen humorously remarks about his wide range of products, excluding caskets, which he leaves to undertakers.
Chinese wedding paraphernalia sold here includes miniature Red, Black, and gold Bakul Siah Wedding Baskets for Straits Chinese Weddings.
Bedak Sejuk, or rice cold-pressed powder, is sold here.
Cologne Water
A customer was spotted buying Florida Water, an American version of Eau de Cologne, commonly called Cologne Water.
Florida Water is almost as antique as no other stores carry this brand. It has a nice sweet orange-based “flowery” scent that we find appealing.
The once-popular Wembley cinema, directly opposite Chen’s store, was famous for screening Shaw Brothers movies up to the 1970s. The famous historical site was known as Wembley Park.
It was demolished to make way for the 3-star Cititel Express and The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel, Penang.
Wembley Park was a happy and happening world of nightly entertainment in her heydays.
Noordin Street was a busy road with passing vehicles and pedestrians.
A memorial signboard is erected on the façade of the Cititel Express.
Wembley’s memorial is the movie banner of the famous 1959 Shaw Brothers Chinese movie. The legendary Lin Dai starred in “The Kingdom and the Beauty.”
“I move with the times, it is definitely quieter now. I have curious tourists dropping to chat or take photographs and asking about the history of Noordin Street. The tourists are always on a lookout for delicious Penang food.
“Some would even walk up to Cecil Street Market, which is almost 1 km away, to try the hawker food stalls,” Chen added.
Although he could have retired twenty years ago, Chen continues to help his daughter run the store as he finds being active helps him pass the time quickly.
He can chat with his old friends who drop by throughout the day.
A variety of old-style Cologne Water.
Chen holds up the Two Girls and Jade Butterfly brand of bottled “Florida Water”.
Miniature bicycles, motorcycles, and trishaws are sold at the shop.
Dream Book
Dream books are 100-character Books that convert dreams into lucky numbers for punters to forecast play in Malaysia.
There are two types. The numbers differ slightly, although both correspond to the same dream.
On the cover are the Taoist deities Guan Yin and Tua Pek Kong.
Dream Book
Sim Aik General Trading
136, Lebuh Noordin, Penang, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 4-262 7804
Google Maps: https://g.co/kgs/4vyWYxT
