| James Kon |
HUA HO Department Store closed its doors for the last time at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan) Complex yesterday after 21 years of service.
The cease of operations occurred in two phases: the closure of the second floor on January 1, with yesterday being the last day of activities for the first floor and the ground floor of the supermarket.
The staff and retail stock of the Yayasan branch will be transferred to the Hua Ho Manggis Mall and the Hua Ho Department Store in Tanjung Bunut.
Connie Lim, who ran the branch’s perfume counter since its grand opening on August 19, 1996, said, “I am really saddened that we have to leave this place. I worked here for 21 years and there are so many memories here.”
Holding back tears, she added, “I will definitely miss this place.”
Another long-serving employee, Lilian Wong, who worked at the jewellery counter, shared the same sentiment, saying, “It’s a really sad time for us as we have to move on. I will really miss this place.
“I was there when His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the opening. It was definitely one of my most memorable moments.”
One of the regular customers, who wished to be known as Miss Lim, said, “I live near Bandar Seri Begawan, so I tend to do most of my shopping at the Hua Ho Yayasan Complex. I will have to shop at another place now for my groceries.”
According to the management of the department chain’s Yayasan branch, the closure was due to issues with the property management of the premises.
The management also extended its apologies for any inconvenience caused, while thanking the public for its support over the years.
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