Residents and regulars wasted no time checking out the renovated Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre when it reopened on May 11.
Having to endure its closure for more than two months, many wanted to see if the pain was worth it.
They checked out the new lights, the improved ventilation and new toilets. Some might have noticed that the roof gutters have been repaired and new bird netting installed.
Reactions were mixed. Mr Clarence Chan, 48, said: “It’s definitely brighter, cleaner and more inviting.”
However, his 14-year-old son was unimpressed: “Doesn’t look like very much has changed.”
Madam Tan Mei Lin, 75, a retiree, also complained that there were no significant improvements – unlike in 2016, when the place went through a previous overhaul.
Her friend was quick to interrupt: “Aiyah, that one was a major renovation. Remember, it took about 18 months and they even set up a temporary food centre near the bus terminal.”
There was no argument, however, that “deep cleaning” had been carried out. The floor, tables and the even ceiling looked well-scrubbed.
While only about two-thirds of the stalls were reopened, the crowd did not seem to mind and many stallholders were kept busy throughout the day.
Still, you could easily identify the stalls that were sorely missed.
There were no less than a dozen customers queuing up for thosai and appam at the popular Heavens stall for the most part of the morning.
There were also lengthy queues at the carrot cake, fried kway teow and roti prata stalls.
At one table, a group of retirees looked contented nursing their kopi and teh while sharing stories on how they coped with the closure of their favourite hawker centre.
“I would go to the coffee shop in the mornings, but it’s small and got very crowded very fast,” one of the elderly men complained.
Like many others, he and his “kakis” were pleased there is no longer a 20 cent charge for using the spruced-up toilets.
Business was similarly brisk at the adjoining Ghim Moh Market and customers looked happy to be back at their favourite grocers.
Yes, all is normal again at Ghim Moh.
However, with the reopening of the market and food centre, the two nearby coffee shops were a lot less crowded.
Like they say: You win some, you lose some.
By Khush Randhawa
