Overseas Emporium closes down in People’s Park Complex, customers sad to say goodbye

Overseas Emporium closes down after 53 years at People’s Park Complex

Overseas Emporium (中侨百货), a recognisable mainstay in Chinatown, has closed down its iconic store at People’s Park Complex.

Its last day of operations was Sunday (17 Nov), reported Shin Min Daily News.

Shutters were closed on 18 Nov

Overseas Emporium, which is located on the third floor of the mall, had its shutters closed when Shin Min reporters visited on Monday (18 Nov).

This was also the case on Wednesday (20 Nov), and a store employee confirmed that it had permanently closed.

Its remaining unsold merchandise would be towed away, while the unit would be taken over by a travel agency.

Clearance sale was held before its last day

Earlier on Sunday (17 Nov), Overseas Emporium held a clearance sale in the lead-up to its last day, with signs proclaiming huge discounts on items.

It was observed that the store was bustling with customers looking for last-minute bargains, in contrast with the desolate scene of the day after.

The shelves were gradually emptied of products ranging from household items, winter clothing, and traditional Chinese medicine to healthcare supplements.

Customers ‘sad’ as Overseas Emporium closes down

A regular customer in his 70s named only as Mr Guo (transliterated from Mandarin) told Shin Min that he had visited Overseas Emporium the day before to buy shoes and he came again on its last day to search for more discounted goods.

He ended up paying more than S$20 for 10 jade pendants.

He said he was “a little sad” to hear that the store was closing as it had a long history and he patronised it often.

A female customer who declined to be named said its closure was “a pity” as it sold many cheap things and she sometimes went there to find items she needed. She also added:

Now there will be one less place to go to in the future.

Another customer named only as Mr Cai (transliterated from Mandarin), who is in his 60s, said he remembered going there in the 70s when the store spanned two floors.

Part of its former premises on the second floor is now taken up by Scarlett Supermarket.

Overseas Emporium opened in 1971

According to its website, Overseas Emporium opened 53 years ago in 1971 and was one of the largest Chinese departmental stores in Singapore in the 1970s.

It took up more than 20,000 sq ft of shopping space across two floors of People’s Park Complex. A photo of an old paper bag from the 70s posted by Roots.sg indicated that it was located on the first and second floors.

An employee told Shin Min that they had no plans for the future after working at the store for more than 20 years.

Other employees said they had spent their youth at Overseas Emporium, having worked there for close to 50 years.

Also read: 6 Robinsons Facts To Mourn The Exit Of S’pore’s Most Well-Loved Department Store

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Featured image adapted from Belvick Lee via Heritage SG Memories on Facebook.