A once-treasured craft faded a little more in the city recently, as a Sheung Shui traditional bamboo mat shop announced its closure, sparking nostalgia and resignation among local residents.
The discussion began with a social media post on Sunday (Sep 29), which revealed the shop on Sun Fu Street had quietly shut down, with its entrance displaying signs that read “Business Closed” and "Glorious Retirement."
The post quickly drew reactions from the residents, many of whom expressed sadness over the loss of a neighborhood landmark that had operated for nearly half a century.
"The shop had already downsized, but the closure was inevitable with the declining business," one resident noted with resignation.
Some online users suggested that the owner, Ho, was the second generation to run the family business, who once revealed concerns about the shifting customers’ habit from traditional bamboo mats to air conditioning.
"Does anyone even use bamboo mats anymore?" one commenter asked, echoing many others who mourned the passing of time.
The reasons for the closure?
The closure prompted a wider analysis among online communities about the underlying challenges facing small businesses.
In addition to the owner’s age, many pointed to a perfect storm of pressures: the rise of e-commerce, the irreversible trend of mainland-bound consumption, and a difficult economic environment.
"Most people now prefer to order online, which has led to a significant drop in sales," one user observed.
Others highlighted the harsh realities of the current market, stating "Costs are high and competition is fierce across every industry.”
"It’s tough to see hard work not yield the desired results," another commenter noted, expressing hope that the market will improve in the future.
