The family business also has branches in Hougang and Peninsula Plaza, which are run by Mr Lim’s older brothers. But the Balestier branch was the only one whose original, traditional set-up remained intact since 1960 when it relocated to the shophouse. It was previously based at 339 Balestier Road.
Since its heyday, the shop has lost nearly 80 per cent in revenue, Mr Lim told CNA Lifestyle last year in an interview.
Not only did it have to contend with the evolving Balestier neighbourhood, the shop also saw competition from the rise of LASIK surgery. And compared with sleek spectacle stores in shopping malls today, Mr Lim’s shop was something of an anomaly in this day. It had no self-service racks, designer brands or air-conditioning, and its patterned floor tiles and machinery were preserved from the 1960s.