Owner continued to run coffee stall in Chinatown Complex despite suffering from cancer
Known for the old-school taste of his coffee, a Chinatown Complex hawker has passed away at the age of 80 after suffering from cancer.
News of Mr Tan Chew Ning’s death was posted in the Hawkers United – Dabao 2020 Facebook group, where a netizen shared a photo of his obituary.
The notice, pasted on the closed shutters of his stall, stated that Mr Tan passed away peacefully last Wednesday (10 Sept) and was cremated on Saturday (13 Sept).
Source: Melvin Chew via Hawkers United – Dabao 2020 on Facebook
Netizens lament passing of Chinatown coffee stall owner
Netizens lamented Mr Tan’s passing, with many saying they used to drink coffee from his Tai Hwa Coffee Stall often.
Source: Melvin Chew via Hawkers United – Dabao 2020 on Facebook
Those who loved his kopi-o kosong proclaimed it to be “the best” they had tried, praising its traditional taste.
Source: Facebook
Some patrons, who had visited his stall recently, expressed surprise at his demise.
One commenter said he just drank his coffee the Saturday before his passing, and he looked “very healthy”.
Source: Facebook
Deceased started brewing coffee at 13
Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Mr Tan’s 50-year-old son said his father learnt to brew coffee from his grandfather at the tender age of just 13, dropping out of school to help him.
His grandfather ran a coffee shop in Pagoda Street until the authorities repossessed it in 1993, after which Mr Tan worked at various coffee stalls.
In 2008, Mr Tan’s son asked him whether he wanted to run his own stall.
They then took over Tai Hwa Coffee Stall with a partner who later left the business.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
After Mr Tan’s wife, who also brewed coffee, died in 2018, he reduced his hours to 11 hours daily, from about 17.
He insisted on traditional methods
However, he continued to be “stubborn” about how he brewed his coffee, insisting on doing it the old-fashioned way.
This included using a gas stove to boil water and “pulling” his teh tarik.
Source: Christopher Lim GM on Facebook
As these methods took a longer time, he lost some customers as a result, his son said.
Source: Roland Per on Facebook
Diagnosed with cancer over a year ago
More than a year ago, Mr Tan started experiencing stomach pain and constipation, his son said.
After doctors diagnosed that he had colon cancer, he underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy.
He was initially recovering, but recently had a relapse.
Owner worked at Chinatown coffee stall despite cancer
Despite suffering from cancer, Mr Tan continued to work at his stall, his son said.
He spent his final day at the stall last Sunday (7 Sept), as cleaners cleaned the food centre from 8 to 9 Sept.
On 10 Sept, he did not open the stall as he felt unwell.
But in the afternoon, he complained of discomfort and collapsed at home.
He was taken to the hospital, where he passed away.
His son said his 42-year-old wife will take over the stall, ensuring that the coffee will continue brewing.
Also read: Founder of Fatty Cheong hawker stall at ABC Brickworks Market dies at 56
Founder of Fatty Cheong hawker stall at ABC Brickworks Market dies at 56
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Featured image adapted from Shin Min Daily News and Christopher Lim GM on Facebook.
