In Hong Kong, many shops still carry out an outdoor business such barbers, noodle stall, street food restaurants ("Dai Pai Dong"), fortune teller, papercraft master, sewer shop, refreshment shop and so on...
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Many old shops are being forced to close to make way for new towers or because
they cannot afford expensive rentals. One of them is Chow Kee shop which deals with
paperwork associated with traditional ceremonies (Hungry Ghost Festival...)
and which has been on Stauton Street since one century.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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The papercraft and offering store, Chow Kee, stands out due to the lanterns and Chinese decorations in various shapes of red decorating the front.
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The 88-year old papercraft master still makes the paper effigy of the
Hungry Ghost king on Aberdeen Street from scratch. During the Hungry Ghosts
festival, he creates a five-meter tall "Ghost King" and other figures from
paper and bamboo.
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| Paper body of the Hungry Ghost king |
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In year 2008, the old papercraft master was forced out of his century-old shop because of the high rent but finally found a new shop on neighbouring Elgin Street.
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A businessman even had offered the old papercraft master a space in Tsim Sha Tsui
but he preferred to stay in the neighbourhood as most of the customers are long-time residents
of the neighbourhood, who drop by on their way to shop and chatter away.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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Mr Chan's skilful hands have created large paper sacrifices for traditional religious functions and delicate goldfish lanterns.
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The economic boom and the lack of government backing (no cheap rental for
traditional crafts) have placed many traditional festivals in danger of disappearing.
There is a wish to have them recognized as intangible heritage items.
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| Old shop in Wan Chai |
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