Latest news with #AgapeGarden
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘More than a restaurant': Hongkongers bid farewell to social enterprise eatery
Hundreds of diners flocked to a small restaurant in one of Hong Kong's poorest neighbourhoods on Sunday, taking selfies and lining up to secure their favourite order for one last time. Unlike many other restaurants in recent months that have fallen victim to the sluggish spending environment, social enterprise Agape Garden was forced to close its doors after the government abruptly decided to reclaim the space. One customer who turned up for the final day of operation said she spent 30 minutes waiting for her takeaway order due to the crowd, but it was all worth it. 'We expected the crowd, but we are happy that there are so many people supporting them,' said Monica Wong, 52, a resident of the Shek Kip Mei neighbourhood where the restaurant was located. 'It is unfair for the Housing Authority to take back the space; this is a business full of kindness. 'It's selfless of the restaurant to spend so much on the medical care of stray cats, hire single mothers and give free meals to the elderly – how could the government force a business like this to close?'
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong social enterprise restaurant races to relocate as closure looms
Hong Kong's social enterprises empowering vulnerable communities are struggling to survive amid a dire economy. In the second part of this two-part series, the Post looks at how a profitable social enterprise was driven out of business by the government despite its earlier recognition and contributions to the community. You can read the first instalment here In one of Hong Kong's most underprivileged neighbourhoods, residents were recently bidding a reluctant farewell to Agape Garden. Over the past six years, this social enterprise restaurant in Shek Kip Mei Estate provided jobs for those with mentally disabilities, single mothers and the elderly, while offering free hot meals to about 100 seniors in need daily. More recently, they have even started helping stray cats find a new home. The closure follows an abrupt government decision to reclaim the space, effectively dismantling this community hub. The landlord, the Housing Authority, said it was 'planning other uses for the premises with detailed arrangements being worked out', without specifying the new purpose. Their website showed at least two dozen vacant shops pending tender in the neighbourhood.
