It's the Aidiladha holidays.
I decided to visit a part of Kuala Lumpur that I haven't been for donkey's years - Jalan Pasar. It's a predominantly Chinese area with a Chinese temple, a bustling wet market and a myriad of Chinese eateries.
I wanted to visit an old shop that sells haberdashery - things used for making clothes. It's situated in a cluster of very old shops. I lost my way and had to circle the area a few times. Eventually, I found it on foot.
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When I spotted it, a wondrous and incredulous feeling stirred in me. The shop looks the same despite the passage of time. The same old furniture. The same old cabinets. The same old layout.
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The wall cabinets contain endless rows of haberdashery - buttons, lace, ribbons, threads, wool etc of every conceivable colour, shape and size. You're spoilt for choice. Amazingly, the prices are as low as ever. And, the customer service is as impeccable as ever.
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I was attended to with great traditional courtesy. I was surprised to hear the owners speaking English to their customers. Years ago, they spoke only Chinese, their mother tongue. Now, they also speak Malay to their workers. So, I ended up speaking Chinese, English and Malay.
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It's a worthy trip down memory lane.
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If you want to buy haberdashery at great low prices and get treated like a VIP, you may want to give it a shot at this shop:
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HUP LEE
No. 45 Jalan Pasar Bahru
Pudu
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-9221 9221
