The revolving door of Hong Kong’s business locations can be confusing to the public. When it was advertised that Esprit outlet was at the basement of Sheraton hotel as indicated in a brochure, a friend and I took time looking for the hotel address. When we finally found it, we were promptly told that the shop moved across the street. When I was trying to find where Pepperoni’s restaurant on the web, the address points to a location that is not the Pepperoni’s shop anymore.
Perhaps many other people share the same experience, referring to an old directory only to find out that the business have moved. Maybe Google Maps’ updates of its database is not as fast as the turnover of businesses in Hong Kong. Abandoned web directories churning out irrelevant results need to be shut down. The Urban Renewal Authority’s abrupt transformation of old heritage buildings into modern dwellings and shops for the privileged isn’t helping either.
In its nth reincarnation in the city, Hard Rock Cafe has emerged in a new yet familiar watering hole of Hong Kong island. From now until it decides to move elsewhere, Hard Rock Cafe can be found at the basement of the LKF Tower, displacing The Cavern and the Hong Kong Brew House. Its previous location in Canton Road, its home for 14 years, was taken over by H & M. Property owners are only too happy to raise the lease rates and discover prospects outbidding each other for the space. Insiders said that the landlord wishes to double the rent for Hong Kong Brew House and triple that of The Cavern. As long as there are takers, the sky’s the limit.
Hard Rock Cafe will start its operations shortly after September, when the leases of The Cavern and Hong Kong Brew House expire. The latter is expected to reopen in Hollywood Road, deep in Hong Kong’s Midlevels dining district. Rising rent levels are taking a bite at businesses in the area. Popular Scandinavian restaurant FINDS (Finland Iceland Norway Denmark Sweden) is expected to relocate from Lan Kwai Fong to the first floor of Luxe Manor in Tsim Sha Tsui.
It a common sight to see a new barber shop taking over a vacated space in my neighborhood, or Pure Fitness finally taking over that Fairmont House basement, vacant for more than a year. In some ways these moves help businesses like real estate agents and relocation companies, while keeping the construction and interior design firms busy.
