Opening of OldTown Heritage Centre in Ipoh
The renowned Halal-certified kopitiam chain, OldTown White Coffee, has unveiled its new Heritage Centre in Ipoh, located along Jalan Panglima, adjacent to Concubine Lane.
The opening was marked by a vibrant display of arts and cultural events, as well as an evening soiree celebrating the ‘Artists Heritage Collaboration Project’.
The festivities began with introduction of the project, an initiative by OldTown White Coffee aimed at transforming the Heritage Centre into a ‘living’ heritage site. This project allows artists to display their work, honouring the rich legacy of Ipoh white coffee.
The Heritage Centre spans three floors of a neo-colonial building, including an eco-friendly Earthcare Cafe, the OldTown Heritage Gallery, besides a retail outlet. Visitors can delve into the history, plus heritage of Ipoh white coffee.
Meanwhile, the Earthcare Cafe serves as the brand’s flagship farm-to-table dining concept, featuring a new menu that highlights ethically and locally sourced produce, such as free-range eggs from cage-free chicken farms.
“The OldTown Heritage Centre is more than just a spot for enjoying great coffee and food. It’s a celebration of our shared history and values, as well as a platform for fostering community and environmental stewardship,” said Dawn Liew, CEO of Kopitiam Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd.
“The Centre’s location along the historically significant Heritage Trail means we must honour the existing traditions that have shaped the area, which is reflected in the Heritage Centre’s architecture and operations,” she added.
As part of its cultural preservation efforts, OldTown White Coffee has collaborated with various artists for the Artists Heritage Collaboration Project. They included:
Melinda Looi – A celebrated fashion designer who designed the iconic brown coffee cups for OldTown White Coffee in 2009. She has created a limited edition commemorative OldTown Heritage Tote Bag in conjunction with the Centre’s opening.
Chuen Mun Wai – One of Malaysia’s last surviving traditional Chinese lantern makers, specially commissioned to create five lanterns for the Heritage Centre, displayed in the Ground Floor dining area.
Chin Choon Yau – A notable mural artist from Ipoh who has painted over 300 murals depicting the cityscapes of yesteryear.
Lim Pui Wan (PicoWorm) – A miniature artist famous for creating highly detailed and realistic dioramas that fit in the palm of a hand.
Jeffrey Lim – A multi-talented photographer, cultural artist, and heritage enthusiast who contributed a vintage coffee brewing station, a collection of antique coffee cups, and a “Traditional Kopi Lineage” photo installation.
Azmi Hussin – A cartoonist celebrated for his quirky depictions of local life and the Malaysian record-holder for the country’s longest single comic strip, “Saga Kami”.
“The Artists Heritage Collaboration Project is an ongoing initiative for OldTown Heritage Centre to support local artists and craftsmen. We will continue to seek out talented individuals to create new installations and enrich our gallery,” added Liew.
“It’s our way of giving back to the community that has shaped our business over the years. Our Heritage Centre now stands as a beacon of creativity, celebrating the best of what Ipoh has to offer, beyond white coffee.”
The OldTown Heritage Centre opens in time for Visit Perak Year 2024, ready to welcome an influx of local and international tourists eager to experience what has recently been named as one of the world’s best coffees. By combining traditional recipes with a rich historical narrative, OldTown White Coffee’s latest flagship location sets a new standard for heritage businesses, captivating an audience with a taste for the past. View the full photo album on our official Facebook Page by clicking HERE.
Video: Opening of OldTown Heritage Centre, Ipoh
Event: Opening of OldTown Heritage Centre in Ipoh
Venue: OldTown Heritage Centre, Ipoh Oldtown
Date: 23rd May, 2024
