The city of Ipoh has decided to capitalise on this trend and use it as a means to boost tourism.
Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir recently declared Ipoh a “Hipster Town” following the boom of such businesses by youths there, a development that has been recognised by local and international media.
“I am proud of their efforts and achievements in developing the concept in Ipoh. Before we’ve realised it, Ipoh has already become a hipster city that is so successful in its businesses that it has been featured in magazines and newspapers,” he said.
Unique hipster concept
According to Zambry, opening an outlet with a hipster concept did not require investors to dole out much money. Rather, inexpensive, old and used items worked best, as they were either repurposed or used as decorative pieces.
“The premises itself does not need to be big or fancy. In fact, the older it is, the more appealing it becomes,” he said.
Displays of this unique concept can be seen in the various businesses that have popped up all over Ipoh including cafes, boutique hotels, street art, antique shops and barber shops which highlight the hipster culture.
Popular hipster haunts include Plan B, Thumbs Cafe, Konda Kondi, M Boutique Hotel, Pasar Karat (every Sunday), Eroll Barbershop and O’oi & Comrades, among others.
The old world charm of Ipoh town has long been an attraction to tourists. The late popular filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad often chose Ipoh as the shooting location for her films such as Sepet, Gubra and Muallaf. A museum has been opened on Jalan Sultan Yusuf to display her work.
Artist Ernest Zacharevis has also chosen Ipoh as one of the locations to display his 3D artwork, which can be viewed in small alleys around Jalan Bandar Timah and Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
Highlighting the concept
The influence of the subculture around the city has also prompted Ipoh Mayor Zambri Man to come up with ways to highlight the concept at the People’s Park on Jalan Sultan Iskandar.
“In the next four to five months we will spruce up the place and turn it into a thing of beauty, especially at night, by putting up lights along the sidewalk next to Sungai Kinta from People’s Park to Taman Dr Seenivasagam,” he said.
The Ipoh City Council is also working with UiTM lecturers and students on a mural at the park, among others, in the bid to turn the area into a tourist attraction and a spot for family recreational activities.
The city has so far rehabilitated 70% of People’s Park, which includes doing away with old structures and dead trees.
“The Menteri Besar and I surveyed the area for two and a half hours and came up with a plan to create a bicycle track from People’s Park to Taman Dr Seenivasagam,” he revealed.
Zambri said they were also in discussion to bring in food trucks to People’s Park, the majority of which are to be run by youths.
“This is one of the places that could bring them revenue, and I have asked my officers to study and evaluate the feasibility of the idea,” he said.
Upon completion, the area will allow the public to engage in recreational and entertainment activities as the city council is also working with the State Arts Department to hold performances there every weekend.
– BERNAMA