Multiplier Effects of Our Elderly Enterprise

When we started our Elderly Enterprise, we were simply trying to promote patchwork blankets made by the elderly. We soon started buying the fabrics for the elderly to save them the trouble and expenses of getting the fabrics themselves.

As the demand for our patchwork blankets grew, it became obvious that there were multiplier effects – we were not just generating income for the elderly who make the patchwork, we were also generating business for the small fabric shops that we buy our fabrics from. As a social enterprise, we naturally make it a point to give our business to those who need it more.

We’re happy to highlight the three fabric shops at Blk 335, Smith Street, Chinatown, which we frequently get our fabrics from. You might want to get your fabrics from them too as their prices are very reasonable which help us keep the cost of our patchwork blankets down:

Lau Jin Xiu Dept Store, #01-042: This small but well-stocked fabric shop is run by energetic elder sister Zhen or Zhen Jie as we call her in Chinese, assisted by her husband. She’s one tough lady, practically handling everything herself while having a dependent mother to care for too. We get most of our fabrics from her.

Xing Long Textiles, #01-266: You’ll find the elderly Mr and Mrs Chong quite adorable. She is feisty and assertive while he is always jovial and good-natured. They do not have to work, but like many elderly used to hard work, they just can’t entertain the thought of taking life easy and not doing anything.

Yung Lai Dept Store, #01-263: This business has span three generations. Mdm Chung, in her 70s, took over the business from her parents when she was in her 20s. The store is now managed by her son, Mr Wong, who has a disability in his left arm. We try to make it a point to buy some of our fabrics from them.








Enjoy a hearty lunch at the hawker centre while you're there

Blk 335 Smith St (yes, that's what this centre is simply called and not by a fancy name like "Smith Street Hub" or something, reflecting the down-to-earth life there) has a wet market at the basement and a thriving hawker centre on the second level.

When we're there to buy fabric, we often join the queue of elderly and office workers at this stall to get our lunch. For just over or under $3, you get a well-balanced meal that tastes "home-cooked" with a bowl of nicely brewed soup for FREE!!! You'll see a middle-aged lady and her husband and daughter running the stall. It all seems like they were running this food business specially to provide the elderly and those from the lower income a good and cheap meal.

Don't miss this stall. Go before 12pm as the queue builds up quickly and the dishes get sold out fast.