The end of a heritage : documentation of Shing Fat, the last traditional rice shop in Yuen Long

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the popularity of supermarkets and a globalized lifestyle have led to the declined of the traditional rice trade and rice shops. This issue is illustrated by the case of Shing Fat Rice Shop (thereafter referred to as ‟Shing Fat’’), the last tradition rice shop in Yuen Long, a highly urbanized district in the New Territories that was Hong Kong’s centre of rice production from the 19th century to the mid-20th century. Facing stiff competition from modern supermarkets, Shing Fat closed in December 2013.

The significance of this research is that it is the last chance to document the last traditional rice shop business in Yuen Long. While the rice shop is no longer in business, the people involved – the operator, his family and its former customers – can still be reached for their stories. If this research is not carried out soon, the first-hand knowledge of a traditional rice shop business will be lost as memories of people connected with Shing Fat fade away in time.

The focus of the research is to document the tangible and intangible aspects of a vanishing trade, using Shing Fat as a case study. By mapping the shop’s (1) operational history, (2) interior layout and its relationship to the daily business operation, and (3) relationship with the community through its customers, the tangible and intangible aspects of a traditional rice shop in Hong Kong can be documented and analyze in order to give a better understanding to this vanishing traditional retailing trade.