HANGING above the entrance of a modest two-storey shophouse along Campbell Street in George Town is a weathered wooden signboard bearing two black Chinese characters — “廣德” (Kwong Tuck).
Time has faded its once-vibrant finish. Yet, the ancient plaque remains proudly in place, with a strip of auspicious red cloth draped across its top edge and sides, adding a splash of colour that contrasts with its age and quietly welcomes visitors through the doorway.
The touch of red is no coincidence. In Chinese culture, the colour symbolises good fortune, prosperity and auspicious beginnings. For the Woo family, it represents their hope that the blessings enjoyed by previous generations will continue to accompany the business for years to come.
For the family behind Kwong Tuck, the signboard is far more than a shop name. It is a treasured heirloom passed down through five generations since the business was founded in 1836 by Fook Yin, who left Guangdong, China, during turbulent times by junk to then Malaya, where he made a living selling groceries and liquor.
Replacing the signboard, they believe, would symbolically mark the end of the business. As long as the original signboard remains, the family’s legacy endures, with each generation entrusted to carry it forward.
Originally located at No. 82 Campbell Street, the shop relocated to No. 90 Campbell Street after its original premises were damaged during World War II. It has remained there to this day, with the fifth generation of the family — brothers Woo Keng Ho and Kok Ho — overseeing its daily operations.
“Due to superstition and tradition, we have kept this more than 100-year-old hand-carved wooden signboard. The old belief is that changing or replacing a shop’s signboard would bring bad luck or mark the end of the business,” Keng Ho, 76, told Buletin Mutiara in an interview at the shop.
The first Chinese character on the signboard, “Kwong” (廣), is derived from Guangdong (廣東/Canton), the founder’s hometown, while the second character, “Tuck” (德), means “virtue” or “moral character”.
In addition, there is another weathered wooden plaque bearing three Chinese characters “廣德號” (Kwong Tuck Ho), meaning Kwong Tuck Shop, which is placed vertically on the pillar outside the shop.
Named Kwong Tuck Sundries and Liquors Sdn Bhd, the 190-year-old establishment holds the distinction of being George Town’s oldest grocery shop. It received the Platinum Award under the Cultural Continuity Recognition category from George Town World Heritage Incorporated in 2020, recognising businesses that have preserved their legacy for 100 years or more.
With its long history, the shop remains well known among Penangites, especially the older generation.
“Our customers usually come here to purchase preserved foods and dried goods, including sea cucumbers, fish maw, dried scallops, Chinese sausages, imported liquor and cooking wine,” Keng Ho said.
During Chinese New Year, the shop is usually filled with loyal customers, many accompanied by their children. Some of these children, who later migrated overseas, still return to the shop to purchase a few items and relive cherished memories of the past.
The shop has also attracted visitors from abroad, including French couple Vincent Gaspaniva and Caroline Heude from Paris.
“We learnt online about this 190-year-old traditional shop and made a special trip here. We are impressed by the quality of the products sold and the preservation of this valuable heritage shop,” Heude said.
Reflecting on the biggest challenge of running a business that has survived for nearly two centuries, Keng Ho quoted an old saying: “Starting a business is easy; preserving one is difficult.”
He said every era brings different challenges, and business operations must continue to evolve with the times.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kwong Tuck launched its first official website and began developing online sales. The business also gradually expanded beyond traditional retail by supplying restaurants, creating new avenues for growth.
“The website is now managed by the younger generation, while my brother and I continue to look after the physical shop,” he said.
Keng Ho acknowledged that as he and his brother grow older, the responsibility of running the business will eventually be passed to the younger generation.
“Young people will have their own ways of managing the business. There are already plans to expand into more diverse areas in the future. But regardless of how it changes, the Kwong Tuck brand will definitely continue to exist.”
He fondly recalled the 1960s and 1970s, when businesses along Campbell Street flourished, and shops remained open until 9pm daily. However, as residents began moving to newer townships such as Bayan Lepas and Bandar Baru Air Itam, coupled with the rise of supermarkets elsewhere in the city, businesses in the area gradually slowed down.
Yet, through all the changes and challenges, Kwong Tuck, with its weathered wooden signboards that have watched over the shop for generations, has stood the test of time — preserving not only a business, but also a piece of George Town’s living heritage.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting