Katong
Shopping Centre
PAST
“Katong Shopping Centre was really like, then, an icon of the East Coast area, you could say. A bit like the ION of Orchard Road we have nowadays, or JEM in Jurong East.”
- Mr Goh Choo Beng, a regular shopper
Katong Shopping Centre used to be an iconic shopping centre for those living in the East in the 1970s, comparable to the ION shopping centre we have now. It was the first shopping mall to be air-conditioned, and even boasted the most modern architecture back in the days.
From our interviews, we found out that there were many different kinds of shops - clothing shops, jewellery shop, tailors, bowling alleys, coffee shops, departmental stores and recreational businesses used to fill the shopping centre.
“There used to be so many people that you had to push and squeeze to get around to the stalls.”
- Lim Chai Hong, Owner of Jamco Optical
“Once Parkway Parade opened this mall basically started to decline because the attractions at Parkway Parade like Isetan basically drew the crowds away.
In the 80s, this was when the Japanese departmental stores like Daimaru, Isetan and Sogo started coming into Singapore. So, the older shops in the mall like Emporium Holdings Groups started to face competition.”
- Mr Goh Choo Beng, a regular shopper
Katong Shopping Centre started to see a decline in shoppers as years passed. From our interviews, we gathered that it was mostly due to the introduction of competitor malls and also how Katong Shopping Centre could not keep up with the fast-changing demands and needs of Singaporeans. Katong Shopping Centre slowly started to lose its appeal and became what it is today. Of all the four times we visited, the mall was quiet, even on a Sunday afternoon.
“The last time this place was popular was around 35 years ago. When the other shopping centres opened, however, this place slowly began to decline.”
- Uncle Lim, Owner of Pan Classic Enterprise
PRESENT
Today, Katong Shopping Centre has become saturated with maid agencies. When we first entered the mall, the first thing we were greeted with was the long stretch of maid agencies on the first floor.
There was the occasional photocopying and tailoring shop, but as we walked through the mall, we saw many young women waiting for a potential employer, their backs facing us through the glass door of the agencies.
“The old retailers, because business grew worse, one by one they gradually left and the empty shops were eventually replaced with maid agencies.”
- Lim Chai Hong, Owner of Jamco Optical
“For maid agencies, it’s very difficult for you to operate in other places because the government wants to control us. Maid agencies, like hair stylists, should be grouped together in order to make it more attractive for customer competition.”
- Mr Richard Peh, Managing Director at Better Maid Employment Agency
While many people visit the mall mainly for the purpose of maid employment, there are others who visit for stores such as the famous boneless chicken rice and the Dona Manis Cake Shop, run by a pioneer generation couple. Often, teenagers visit the mall for a karaoke session at Teo Heng.
There is a blend of various shops in Katong Shopping Centre, such as beauty and wellness services, consultancy firms, a music centre and most notably, ghostbusting services. However, even with such services, the mall remains empty and quiet. Despite this, Katong Shopping Centre remains unique in its own way to many of the store owners and shoppers.
“Look at the mix of shops in this mall. You would find certain traits that you cannot find in many of the upscale shopping centres in Singapore right now and this adds to the colour and diversity of it.”
- Mr Goh Choo Beng, a regular shopper
Most of the store owners depend on regular customers, as the mall is unable to attract new customers anymore. Despite this, many store owners are happy with the customers they have.
“One good thing is that when you’ve been here for so long, you make some good friends and loyal customers, which is nice. Business has definitely decreased, but because our work is more skill-based, we aren’t affected as much.” - Uncle Lim, Owner of Pan Classic Enterprise
FUTURE
“If I had the money, I would buy over the place and redevelop it into something else. Katong Shopping Centre is no longer able to attract the younger crowd.”
- Mr Ernest Foo, a regular shopper
While many young Singaporeans look for fashion brands and food outlets, the mall is unable to offer these. With how the mall fell behind and failed to keep up with changing consumer trends, many feel that the only way for it to survive is to change its image.
However, some are confident that the mall will not go en bloc.
“I think the en-bloc will not happen. The shop owners are very rich and they’re the first-time buyers/second-time buyers in Katong and they don’t need this money, so they still stay put and they’re fighting for that.”
- Mr Richard Peh, Managing Director at Better Maid Employment Agency
Some shop owners support en bloc as they feel that this is the only way their business can expand further, beyond the walls of Katong Shopping Centre.
“I’m fully supportive of the plan because if this place goes on en bloc, I can rebuild my new company.”
- Lim Chai Hong, Owner of Jamco Optical
While some supported the decision to en-bloc, others did not feel the same. Many would rather the mall stay as it is, as they believe that the features it offers, although not enticing to many Singaporeans, is what makes it unique.
“This building’s been here for around 40 years but it’s only a matter of time before it's put up for en bloc. I just hope it won’t be that soon.”
- Uncle Lim, Owner of Pan Classic Enterprise
Katong Shopping Centre holds many memories for the shop owners and shoppers who grew up in the area.
However, with how the mall has faded with time, it seems rather unlikely that it will ever be able to return to its once lively and bustling days.