Singapore is littered with businesses that have stood the test of time. Behind every business lies a treasure trove of stories we don't often think about when we drop by the neighbourhood tau sar piah shop, or dabao our favourite chicken rice. The National Heritage Board (NHB) is launching its Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme, as part of its efforts to strengthen partnerships with communities and raise awareness of and foster deeper appreciation for heritage in everyday spaces.
Working closely with local shop owners with at least 30 years of history in selected precincts, NHB will co-create "mini-museums" that showcase the stories and heritage of the respective businesses and trades. These galleries will be located on-site and display historical documents, photographs and artefacts that tell the stories of these shops.
From March 2020, Street Corner Heritage Galleries will kick off with five community stakeholders within the Balestier precinct – Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah, Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice, Lim Kay Khee Optical and Contact Lens Centre, Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory, and Sweetlands Confectionery and Bakery. By 2020, the scheme will be subsequently rolled out in four other precincts – Kampong Gelam, Little India and Kreta Ayer/Chinatown and Geylang Serai – by 2022.