Inside a pre-war building in the heart of Hong Kong’s busy Wan Chai district, coffee, curios and Cantopop are now the fresh attractions breathing new energy into a historic pawn shop that closed its doors two years ago.
As the nostalgic tunes of late Cantopop legend Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing spin on vinyl and fill the air, curious passers-by step inside to see the shop – located in the venerable tong lau or tenement building – that’s been granted a new lease on life.
Built in 1924, the four-storey structure became home to Chun On Pawn Shop more than eight decades ago. After ceasing operations in 2024, the shop reopened in mid-August as a pop-up community and exhibition space. The venue now features old pawnbroking artefacts, historical photographs and workshops and community activities.
At 11am on Thursday, roughly a dozen residents dropped by to explore the building, whose ground floor was traditionally covered by a large screen to protect the transactions and privacy of clients.
Paula Chan, a retiree who has lived in Wan Chai for 50 years, said she was drawn by the nostalgic charm of the pawn shop while on her way to purchase groceries in the nearby wet market.
