Chua Kwee Siew was a partner of Chop Heap Hoe, Furniture Dealers in Victoria Street. His father-in-law, Yap Oh Poot was its Proprietor. Chua Kwee Siew, partner of Chop Heap Hoe, Furniture Dealers, Victoria Street. passed away at the General Hospital on Sunday 10 September 1939, leaving behind his wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters. From the burial registrar, he was 41 years old when he passed on
Mrs. Chua Kwee Siew nee Yap Chwee Yen passed away at her residence, No. 230 Victoria Street on 4 October 1934. From the burial registrar, she was 31 when she passed away. She leaves behind her husband, Mr. Chua Kwee Siew of Chop Heap Hoe and a son and daughter to mourn her loss. Madam Yap Chwee Yen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Yap Oh Poot. The tomb of Yap Oh Poot is also nearby.
From their tomb;
Son: Chua Beng Tat, Chua Beng Huat, Chua Beng Chong
Daughter: Chua Kim Geok, Chua Geok Kee
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| Tomb of Chua Kwee Siew |
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| Tomb of Yap Chwee Yen |
Parents-in-law: Yap Oh Poot and Tan Siew Lian Neo
Yap Oh Poot was the proprietor of Chop Heap Hoe, Furniture Dealers Victoria Street. His partner was Mr. Chua Kwee Siew who married one of Mr Yap's daughter, Miss Yap Chwee Yee. Yap Oh Poot together with Wee Teow Beng was once the joint proprietor of The Arcadia, Cinematograph Theatre at East Coast Road until he sold his portion on ownership to Wee Teow Beng in 1920.
Yap Oh Poot passed away at the age of 61 at his residence, 224, Victoria Street, on 6 January 1934. He leaves behind a widow, 3 sons (Yap Soo Leong, Yap Guan Teck, Yap Guan Hoe), two daughters (Yap Chwee Yen, Yap Chwee Ngoh), a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law and many grandchildren
Madam Tan Siew Lian Neo (Tan Siew Lean Neo) passed away at the age of 53 on 7 August 1936. at 224 Victoria Street. She leaves behind 3 sons, Yap Soo Leong, Yap Guan Teck and Yap Guan Hoe, 1 daughter, Yap Chwee Ngoh, 1 son-in-law, Mr. Chua Kwee Siew, 2 daughters-in-law and 9 grandchildren.
Chop Heap Hoe, Furniture Dealers, Victoria Street
Yap Oh Poot had property around Victoria Street area which were sold after his death. After his death there was also a writ of distress from the landlord of 220 Victoria Street against Chop Heap Hoe and the furniture and other stocks were sold. What happened to Chop Heap Hoe after Yap Oh Poot passed away is still a mystery to me, but what is certain is the building no longer exist. It is located where Bugis Junction is. |
| Estimated location of Chop Heap Hoe at Victoria Street (now Bugis Junction) |
The end of Furniture Row
Victoria Street use to be synonymous with teak and cane (rattan) furniture. At one time, immigrant Shanghainese carpenters and master craftsmen skilled in ornate finishing were one of the suppliers too. In 1983, the death bell sounded for this furniture shops as major areas along Victoria Street was slated for development (for the Mass Rapid Transport - East line and other new development. About 50 furniture dealers who have been in business for half a century were forced to move has the Government has acquired the land for urban redevelopment. For many, this shophouses were also their name were the shipowners and families live on the top floor and the actual shop itself is on the ground floor.
What was interesting about the picture above was that on the night of 17 September 1973, a fire started on the second floor of Hoe Huat Furniture company (you can make it from the picture). Fortunately the timely arrival of the fire engine prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the pre-war houses. The luckiest was the Shanghai Furrniture next door. The damage was estimated to be $30,000.
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| Fireman putting out fire at Hoe Huat Furniture at Victoria Street (source: National Archives, Singapore) |
A preliminary list of furniture shops over the year at Victoria Street (note this is not a comprehensive listing).
Late 1890's
A. Frankel & Co - Established 1887
1920's
The Sun Wah Company - 380 Victoria Street
The Heng Wah Company - 381-382 Victoria Street
1930's
The Heng Wah Company - 381 and 382 Victoria Street (Phone: 2675)
Shanghai Furniture Co. - 130-A Victoria Street (Phone: 3327)
Sun Wah Company - 83 Victoria Street (Phone 2425)
1950's
Comfort Furniture - 130 Victoria Street
1980's
Hup Lee Shanghai Furniture -56 Victoria Street
Chun Hing (Shanghai) Furniture - 64 Victoria Street
Far Eastern Co. - 66 Victoria Street
Location of tomb
Block 3 Section D, plot 407 and 432.
References
Furniture Shop destroyed in blaze. (1973, September 18). The Straits Times, page 13
The end of Victoria Street. (1983, June 13). The Straits Times, page 1
The end of Furniture Row. (1984, December 16). The Straits Times, page 7
FRONT VIEW OF SHOPHOUSES ALONG VICTORIA STREET. (01/06/1985). National Archives of Singapore National Archives of Singapore
Shophouse (Hup Lee Shanghai Furniture) at 56 Victoria Street. (01/06/1985). National Archives of Singapore
Shophouses along Victoria Street, including numbers 62 and 64. (01/06/1985). National Archives of Singapore
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