3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Iconic Penang school uniform shop to close
GEORGE TOWN: AFTER more than five decades of serving generations of students, Kimnovak, once a beloved institution in the school uniform industry, will close its doors for good at the end of this month.
It will be a bittersweet farewell for many who remember the humble beginnings of the shop on Jalan Magazine here, and the effort that went into growing it into a trusted name for school uniforms, bags, shoes, socks and stationery for families.
The closure has been in the works for years, with the Movement Control Order and its subsequent challenges accelerating the inevitable.
The family business has struggled with mounting difficulties, such as a lack of an heir to take over, an increasingly tough operating environment and evolving market demands.
K.H. Lim now runs the business that his mother founded 56 years ago, building Kimnovak's iconic guitar logo into a symbol of quality and trust over the years.
It grew from a modest venture into one of the most recognisable suppliers of school essentials.
Lim, 73, runs the shop with wife Lillian Lim, who has been by his side throughout the journey.
Lillian, 70, had watched the business grow, but also saw how hard it was to keep up with the changes.
Her children, both adults, showed little interest in carrying on the family business.
Kimnovak began by only selling school uniforms, and expanded into offering bags, shoes, socks and stationery.
Despite this diversification, the business could not escape the larger trends affecting the retail sector.
By the early 2000s, the workforce at the company's factory had dwindled.
What once was a bustling operation with over 20 workers, mostly women, gradually shrank as many of them retired.
The younger generation, no longer interested in sewing or working with textiles, only added to the decline.
The company tried outsourcing work and relying on imported materials, but rising textiles costs, difficulties with imports and substandard overseas workmanship just added to the burden.
"Sometimes, it would take up to six months to get everything in place, from ordering materials to getting the uniforms stitched and shipped," Lillian said.
"It is a lot of hard work."
Lillian, who had helped her mother-in-law grow the business, found it heartbreaking to see the steady decline.
"I still have regular customers asking for school uniforms or reminiscing about the good old days.
"It is so hard to let go," she told the New Straits Times (NST).
Despite a steady flow of customers, especially during school holiday seasons, the complexities of the business became too overwhelming.
The store also became a "second home" to many who visited from all walks of life.
It was not uncommon to see generations of families — grandparents, parents and now their children — walking through the doors, year after year, to stock up on school supplies.
The NST managed to catch up with Leong Kian Loon, 48, a tour guide, and Low Boon Jin, 43, who were buying school uniforms for their daughters.
Leong, who grew up just a few streets away on Lebuh Tye Sin, recalled how his parents would take him to Kimnovak to buy school supplies when he was in primary school.
"It is like a piece of history for me. Now, as a father of two girls, I bring them here too.
"I am not buying uniforms because they need them right now. I just want to make sure we have enough for the future. It is that feeling of nostalgia," he added.
Low, who was buying uniforms for his 8-year-old daughter, shared similar sentiments.
"I usually send my wife to shop here, but today, I had to come myself. Ever since I heard it is closing down, I felt this inexplicable sadness," he said.
"Kimnovak has been a part of my life, and now my daughter's. I have no idea where to turn next," he said.
Lillian acknowledged the impact of the closure on customers.
"I guess it is finally sinking in for everyone. Just like it is hard for us to let go, it is difficult for them too.
"This shop has been a part of their lives."
As Kimnovak prepares for its final chapter, the Lims leave behind a legacy of hard work, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the community.
The memories of bustling days, the laughter of children trying on uniforms and the sight of the company's iconic guitar logo on every bag will remain etched in the hearts of all those who walked through Kimnovak's doors.
On the difficult decision to retire, Lillian said: "Everything must come to an end."
