By Delia Zamir | Jun 3, 2010
Photography by Ellen Tang
Peter Hoe Beyond: a hidden gem in Chinatown
KL’s Chinatown is undoubtedly one of the country’s most popular tourist spots and a must-go destination for backpackers and bargain hunters. It is far more colourful and adventurous than its bigger and more refined neighbours, Bukit Bintang and KLCC. The origins of Chinatown dates back to the ruling Chinese ‘kapitan’ heydays of the late 1800s, therefore it’s a place immersed in heritage, history and culture.
Enter Peter Hoe Beyond, a concept home decor shop located at the very heart of the area within a heritage site named Lee Rubber Building. Considered by some as a hidden gem of Chinatown, the shop is an oasis of whitewashed walls and restfulness after the bustle of Petaling Street.
Peter Hoe Beyond is huge: it takes up an entire floor. Delightfully, browsing through the shop is akin to a jaunt on the side streets of Chinatown itself - so many fascinating things to see and explore, so little time.
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| A walk on the wild side: A sprawling 8,600 square feet's worth of home décor buys and ideas |
The owner, Peter Hoe, certainly has an eye for stealing beauty from across the globe to showcase in his shop. He sources throughout the South East Asian region and all the things he acquires share three similar themes: quality make, far-flung exotic appeal and tastefulness.
“All the things you see here are originally sourced,” says Hoe, 49. “And most of time, I influence the design process. I’d say 90% of the merchandise here are things that you won’t find anywhere else.”
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| The signage-less entrance of Peter Hoe Beyond. |
Peter Hoe Beyond is not particularly hard to locate. But, for one to know about the shop in the first place is a challenge in itself because the business depends solely on word of mouth. Hoe does not advertise.
The shop’s undisclosed appeal is certainly an intriguing concept and the shop has been featured in international publications as illustrious as The New York Times and Time magazine.
“A lot of people still don’t get it,” he quips. “People ask me all the time, ‘why don’t you have a signboard downstairs?’ And I tell them, 'If you don’t know who Peter Hoe is, you won’t even come upstairs!'”
It isn’t arrogance, but a hard-won confidence in the knowledge that shoppers who visit will get hooked, and they in turn would want to spread the word about the beautiful things to be found at Peter Hoe Beyond.
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| The all-day café serving drinks and home-made cakes and quiches |
“This is destination shopping,” Hoe says of the eight year old outlet. “Shoppers must know about us before coming. If you know about it, you will come. It just so happens that the shop is hidden. It’s not a manipulated thing. And, because it’s located in a heritage building, it’s set in a beautiful space that money cannot buy.”
The shop takes up 8,600 square feet, and is separated into three main sections. The lion’s share goes to Hoe’s wares; a smorgasbord of home décor, lights, art, fabrics and gifts arranged in various picturesque and cosy compositions. One small area features a tailor’s shop run by fashion designer Justin Yap and a café is tucked deeper at another side of the shop for weary shoppers to rest their feet and enjoy some refreshments (all home-made recipes courtesy of Peter Hoe).
“We have a lot of regulars coming every week,” says Hoe. “We get a lot of expats, a lot of Malaysians. We have many tourists too because we have been written about in international magazines. It’s a nice feeling to be here. The husbands come with a book and read in the café, while the wife shops. Then they can have lunch here. The food’s good.
“(Peter Hoe Beyond) is a true Malaysian original. If you’re buying your first home, finding ideas about adding to the décor, this is a great place to start. The price range goes from RM20 to RM2,000.”
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