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Saving Stanley Market Southside residents launch campaign to bring crowds back to the seaside town
Everyone defines life in Hong Kong a little differently. To some, it’s long days at the office capped off by weekends brunching or hiking. To others, it’s hours of manning the shop you’ve owned for decades, situated in one of the city’s most famously loved tourist spots. Considering the tumultuous toll the pandemic has taken on people the worldover, life has been quiet for those that fall into the latter category. It comes as no surprise that walking through Stanley Market does not feel like it once did. The buzz of culture and excitement that used to flood that network of lanes has fallen quiet these days, as foot traffic and business has grinded to a near halt. Hong Kong’s number of arrivals have drastically dropped by over 90 percent in the last year, as has the number of people flocking to Stanley on weekends to shop, dine and stroll. Yet, if you were to mosey on down to Stanley Market now, you’ll find that, despite over a year of bad business for the area, shops remain open with business owners standing in the doorway of their stores, greeting passersby, welcoming them and chatting to them with perfect enthusiasm. They stay open for about nine hours each day, seven days a week, even if only a handful of people visit. In a spirited effort to rally behind these
hard workers, members of the Stanley community have launched the Summer in Stanley ‘21 campaign. On top of trying to gain traction on Instagram through the account @stanleyvillagehk, Stanley residents have created shirts and posters to promote the campaign. With summer barrelling in at full speed, there are also beach cleanups and a huge array of watersport events planned to bring crowds back to the seaside town. While this is the hook, residents are hoping it will get people to continue returning to Stanley to support local businesses there.
Where some may see a dead end, Hongkongers see a wall to bust through. While the buzz that hums through those lanes has quieted, remnants remain, carried through by the people that continue to occupy Stanley Market and Stanley neighbourhoods. In a city that often fails to recognise and reward hard work, we should show up for our fellow Hongkongers and do just that. If you’re wondering where to spend your dollars this summer, head to Stanley. Have lunch under the sun, go shopping, join one of the many water sport events that will be available this summer and support our local business owners.
SOUTHSIDE | 15
