Chop Kong Hing: The Sundry Shop That Stood at No. 12, Kee Ann Road
In the heart of Melaka, along the historic Kee Ann Road, lies a story not just of a business, but of a family and an era. This is the story of Chop Kong Hing, a sundry shop that was once the lifeblood of its community.
The Birth of a Business
The story begins in 1931, a year that marked the completion of a block of nine shophouses on Kee Ann Road . In one of these, No. 12, a man named Kan Khing saw an opportunity. He rented the premises and ventured into the sundry goods trade, naming his business "Chop Kong Hing" .
The shop quickly found success. Its prime location, situated near the newly built Municipal Central market, ensured a steady flow of customers. Chop Kong Hing became the go-to place for daily necessities, selling everything from soy sauce, rice, and salted fish to eggs and other sundry items to the local community .
An Expanding Empire
With the retail business booming, Kan Khing’s entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop. He expanded his operations by venturing into manufacturing. He set up a soy sauce factory about 10 km outside of town in Bachang, named Cheong Yun. To run the factory, he employed a master in the art of soy sauce and bean paste production and even brought in relatives from China to assist him .
The family's enterprises grew to include a pig sty, a vegetable garden, and a fish pond, making the Kong Hing operation a small but significant economic hub .
War, Resilience, and Change
The prosperity of the 1930s came to a halt with the looming threat of World War II. On December 7, 1941, the war reached Malaya, and by January 1942, the Japanese had occupied Melaka. This period brought immense hardship. Some family members were forced to leave the shophouse on Kee Ann Road and seek refuge at the Cheong Yun factory on the outskirts of town for safety. They would only return after the Japanese surrender in 1945 .
The post-war years saw a decline in Kan Khing's health, and he passed away in 1950 at the age of 56, in the very home where his business had thrived . This marked a turning point for Chop Kong Hing. His son was not interested in taking over the sundry shop, preferring a career as a translator for the police .
The business was passed on to a relative, Kan Wun Kun, who managed it until 1970. Facing difficult times, the shop was ultimately liquidated by its debtors .
A Lasting Legacy
While the shutters of Chop Kong Hing may have come down, its story is an integral part of Kee Ann Road's rich history. The street itself, named after the prominent Chinese towkay Mr. Seet Kee Ann, has always been a hub of commerce and community life . Today, while many of the old businesses have faded, echoes of the past remain in the traditional trades that still line the road, from its aging tailors to other heritage shop houses .
The story of No. 12, Kee Ann Road, is a powerful reminder of the lives, ambitions, and struggles that have shaped Melaka. It’s a testament to the spirit of enterprise that once filled the streets of this historic city, a story that continues to be told through the memories of the families who lived it.
