The hidden history of George Town’s Starbucks outlet

GEORGE TOWN – Many customers bustle into this Starbucks outlet for their daily dose of frappuccinos and cappuccinos, with the occasional Instagram selfie, but there is a hidden history between the walls of No. 1 Jalan Green Hall in Penang.

Located at the Unesco World Heritage site, owner of the heritage shophouse, Dato Ram Pillai told The Vibes that it was built in 1906 and housed the North Malaya Chinese Textile & General Merchants Association. 

During the Japanese occupation, the British bombed Convent Light Street located just behind the building. As a result, the roof of the building was blasted off. 

It was not until 1948, after the end of the war, that the building was restored and a big opening ceremony was held.

However, just two decades later, in the late 1960s, the building was boarded up and left empty.

Fortunately, the building was saved from its dilapidated state after more than 30 years.

“I bought it in 2003 and I suppose I was the only one that offered a reasonable price for the building because the restoration itself costs more than the building. 

“I suppose even the late Karpal Singh saw this building and decided to get the one a few doors away.

“The front door was boarded up in plywood, the roofs have caved in and the floorboards were gone because of the wood rot. We have to take off the floor upstairs and the plasters,” the lawyer said.

According to him, the front doors were covered with 12 layers of paint and had to be carefully restored.

After removing the layers of paint, it was given a layer of automotive paint by professionals to protect the wood and give it a glossy look. 

The two entryways at the front hall were also restored; unfortunately, the circular grand masterpiece that used to adorn the room remains missing.

The window frames and louvred shutters were restored, but 19 windows had to be replaced. Fortunately, the dust and grime that lined the floors protected the original fragile printed Peranakan tiles.

“The floor is not homogenous tiles and only has a thin layer of printed paint, therefore, it must be cleaned by hand as strong solvents cannot be used,” he added.

Starbucks Malaysia & Brunei CEO Sydney Quays told The Vibes that, before they managed to occupy No. 1 Jalan Green Hall, they had long been looking for a prime spot at the heritage area to park an outlet. 

When the opportunity arose for them to rent the ground floor, they seized it.

“Starbucks started the operation in March 2017 and the response has been very good. I believe it is a strategic place as it is located on the main road close to the courthouse and Dewan Sri Pinang.

“We brought in furniture that would complement the building but still provide comfort because if we are talking about old furniture, most are made from hardwood and are very heavy. 

“We also realise people sit a lot longer in here and many do come to take their Instagram photos,” Quays said.

Starbucks has a total of 31 outlets in Penang and they are still active in their expansion efforts.

Quay hinted that they might open the first floating Starbucks in the region, after the first floating Starbucks outlet in the world opened in July 2020 in Seoul, South Korea.

“There are plans for a floating barge, but because of the complexity of the location and other safety concerns, we will have to put it at the backburner until the pandemic is over.

“We also have plans for a new outlet in Weld Quay that is also a drive-through. However, we will also be looking into it again when the pandemic settles, it is just a matter of time,” he added. – The Vibes, December 2, 2020.