Pasar Pagi wholesale market overshadowed by modern malls<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Pasar Pagi (the morning market) existed long before most malls
\nand shopping centers in the city.<\/p>\n
\"I used to have a lot of customers. They came here for many
\nthings, from clothes and toys to school supplies and kitchenware,
\nbecause they could get them here at cheaper prices,\" said Amen,
\nthe owner of a grocery shop in the Pasar Pagi complex.<\/p>\n
The 58-year-old, who started working in the complex 40 years
\nago through helping out his father, recalled that, although
\nChristmas had not been widely celebrated in Indonesia at that
\ntime, it did impact on his business.<\/p>\n
\"Business during Christmas was not as busy as it was during
\nIdul Fitri or Chinese New Year, when I could sell dozens of
\ncartons of clothes and toys. But still, I made more money at
\nChristmas as more people bought toys for their kids,\" he said,
\nadding that plastic guns, cars and big dolls were the best-
\nselling items.<\/p>\n
However, Pasar Pagi's popularity declined with the development
\nof modern shopping centers and malls across the capital.<\/p>\n
\"They offered a new look and probably a more comfortable
\nenvironment, so people switched their loyalties, it was as simple
\nas that,\" said Amen.<\/p>\n
Heri, a toy shop owner also in Pasar Pagi, voiced a similar
\ncomplaint.<\/p>\n
\"I used to have a busy day everyday. Sometimes, I even forgot
\nto have lunch. But things started to slow down years ago when
\ntrade centers and malls were erected,\" said the 47-year-old,
\nwhose shop was founded by his grandfather.<\/p>\n
Located on Jl. Asemka, West Jakarta -- near Chinatown -- Pasar
\nPagi was established in the 17th century by the Dutch colonial
\ngovernment and was known for both its retail and wholesale shops.<\/p>\n
When the more modern Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua was opened on Sept.
\n18, 1989, most shop owners in the old overcrowded Pasar Pagi
\nmarket were relocated.<\/p>\n
Things did not improve as malls were built in Jakarta's five
\nmunicipalities and Pasar Pagi was virtually forgotten.<\/p>\n
\"Not many retailers come here now. Christmas no longer makes a
\ndifference to my business. Yes, I still have loyal customers, but
\nthey are wholesalers. As for retailers, I've lost more than half
\nof them.<\/p>\n
\"I am not expecting anything, but hope that my customers keep
\ncoming back, otherwise Pasar Pagi will only exist in the past,\"
\nAmen said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pasar-pagi-wholesale-market-overshadowed-by-modern-malls-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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