"Mini-museums” have been set up around Chinatown at 11 heritage businesses which have at least 30 years or more of rich history, passed down from generations to generations. The highest number of participating businesses in any precinct, under the National Heritage Board's Street Corner Heritage Gallery programme which was launched on the 15th Sept 2022 in the morning at Chinatown.
Street Corner Heritage Galleries is a 3-year pilot scheme which was first launched in the Balestier precinct in March 2020, followed by the Kampong Gelam precinct in April 2021 and the Little India precinct in Jan 2022. The SCHG scheme will soon be rolled out to the Geylang Serai precinct next year in 2023.
Wing Choon Yuen retains its origin
Spring Court, formerly known as Wing Choon Yuen 咏春园 ("singing in a spring garden" in Cantonese), currently located at Upper Cross Street (the street where I frequent many decades ago till present) which started out by founder the late Ho Loke Yee. In 1929, the late Ho Yoke Yee (from Dongguan in the Guangdong province of southern China) then a lorry driver turned restaurateur set up a temporary makeshift stall in the garden of Wing Choon Yuen (咏春园) at Great World Amusement Park where the present Great World City now stands.
During the time in 1930s to 1960s, many business associations, elite as well as newlyweds would flock to the restaurant for celebratary feasts and its business was so brisk that the late Ho Yoke Yee often had to sleep over at the restaurant on a makeshift bed of dining tables.
Ho Yoke Yee in his makeshift stall
Spring Court is where reunions, birthdays, wedding banquets as well business associations alike have been celebrated for generations. Spring Court of its heydays has been commemorated in newspaper write-uo and television documentaries and was the star of the 2011 Singapore hit movie It's a Great Great World.
When the business declined due to decreased of the visitors to the Great World dwindled. Wing Choon Yuan relocated to the former site of Oriential Theatre at New Bridge Road in 1978, renamed "Spring Court" and retaining its Chinese name 咏春园 before moving to 52-56 Upper Cross Street in 2004 till present. The artefacts at a "mini museum" in the restaurant still document and celebrate its past history.
Below are the 1940s photos and the artefacts taken at Spring Court and its surrounding.
Do visit the restaurant if u are craving for delicous food....Well... Food for thought...that makes you.. time travel from the past..to their mini-museum displaying artefacts and 1940s photos hanging on wall of the Spring Court restaurant.
Spring Court Restaurant owner Mdm Soon Puay Keow (Mr Ho's daughter-in-law and managing director of Spring Court Restaurant) is currently operating the restaurant.
Last but not least, there is a book called "Delicious Heirlooms", which I stumbled upon on the table.
This book supported by NHB, recounts the sacifices and hardship that many of the founders experienced to eke out for a living. It includes personal anecdotes from family members of the early days and discussions with the next generation on how they plan to keep the restaurant and the spirit of their forefathers alive.
LIM CHEE GUAN 林志源
Established in 1938, homegrown barbecued meat (bak kwa) brand Lim Chee Guan was founded in 1938 by late Lim Kay Eng, a Chinese immigrant arrived in 1920s from Fujian, China. Late Lim Kay Eng had two daughters and two sons. He passed away in 1988 at 79 years old.
Lim Chee Guan started as a provision stall along a five-foot way along Chin Chew road in 1938, selling bak kwa. The late Mr Kay Eng had learnt how to preserve meats from his mother and his grandmother's recipe.
Lim Chee Guan is a Singapore's favourite brand of barbecued pork or "Bak Kwa" as it is locally known, specialising in the production and retail of bak kwa (a dried, barbecued meat).
Preserving the traditional methods of preparing bak kwa is core to the Lim Chee Guan brand. Rod Lim took over his late father's business in 1988 till present.
A week before CNY, the 'snaking' queue was already formed outside the Lim Chee Guan stores. It would take 2-3 hours to secure the order while queuing...I was there too. Luckily, my brother ordered online earlier every year. At times I bought bak kwa from its rival Bee Cheng Hiang once the Lim Chee Guan's bak kwa runs out of stock. Well, Bee Cheng Hiang was where I bought 'Bak Kwa' near my area at Holland V mall. Sadly it moved out due to demolished and rebuilt of the mall. Bee Cheng Hiang is also one of the participating stores in the NHB's Street Corner Heritage Galleries programne in Chinatown.
Below are some of Lim Chee Guan's artefacts.
TONG HENG 東興
A local famed bakery known "Tong Heng 東興" its dedication to handcrafted traditional pastries - Singapore's famous homemade cantonese pastry diamond-shaped "Egg Tarts".
Founded in 1935, Tong Heng had a long journey from humble begining as a street stall by its founder, late Fong Chee Heng who arrived in 1910s, started out as an hawker peddling drinks in various teahouses.
Over the years with his savings, he bought over Huang Hou Teahouse at a pre-war Chinatown's shophouse at Smith Street in 1934, later renamed as "Tong Heng".
After WWII, many of the pre-war shophouses tranformed into eating houses, Tong Heng preserved its making traditional confectioneries. In 1960s, the family of Tong Heng installed a showcase displaying egg tarts in baking different shapes to attract more customers.
I remember 'round shape' egg tarts! My favourite egg-tarts! My family loves it whenever we buy pastry for occassions.
Once used for weddlings, CNY and birthdays gifts to family and relatives as well as friends for special occassions.
Tong Heng's "Mini-Museum"
In 1980s, Tong Heng had to relocate its premise from Smith Street to South Bridge road due to redevepment of the Chinatown's area.
Presently, Tong Heng is managed by 4th generation, Ms Ana Fong who is now in her 50s. Currently, Tong Heng has two outlets - 285 South Bridge road and Jurong Point Mall B1-10.
Tong Heng's artefacts showcase as below:
Other participating heritage businesses include traditional Chinese medicine retailer Eu Yan Sang, dessert shop Mei Heong Yuen, Pek Sin Choon tea shop, Chop Wah On, On Cheong Jewellery, Tin Sin Goldsmith, Bee Cheng Hiang and Kim Poh Hong Goldsmith.
Please refer to the full write-up of all participating heritage businesses here
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