Over the years, many people from the area flocked to the fast-food outlet to enjoy its unique and delicious food and beverages, such as the Mozza Burger, Curly Fries, waffles, and of course, the legendary A&W root beer.
As a former resident of the area, I would like to offer my perspective and memories of that particular A&W outlet.
As a child, my parents would sometimes take my siblings and I to have a meal there. On weekdays, the outlet would usually be almost empty; it was on weekends that the place would fill to the brim, especially on days when a child was having a birthday party.
I would always order the same thing: a Mozza Burger and orange juice (yes, I’m a freak who dislikes soda).
However, my memories of those days are tarnished by the fact that I had always hated the mascot for no real reason at all.
As the years went by, after my parents pointed it out, I began to notice that the outlet’s condition was slowly deteriorating. Nevertheless, I continued to go there occasionally due to convenience: it was only a 15-minute walk from my house, and it was opposite the Taman Jaya LRT station, the station closest to my home.
Then one day, I heard the first rumours about the outlet being taken down. By this point, I knew that it had clearly shown its age for a long time. When I told my parents of this, their response was: “It’s about time.” Thus, I was surprised at the outpouring of sadness expressed on the internet about this news.
However, the closing down of the A&W outlet would end up being deferred for a few more years. In the interim, I continued going there. During my years in university, I found it a good place to study on weekends because of its proximity to my house. Every now and again, I would go there, order my lunch, lay my books and notes on a table, then eat and drink while I pored over them.
Earlier this week, though, the inevitable happened: it was announced that the outlet would finally be replaced by the aforementioned office tower.
Once again, the announcement set off a wave of nostalgia and emotion. Many seemed to have deep emotional ties to that outlet. However, it had become increasingly clear that the outlet was no longer fit to operate in the same manner as it once did.
It’s not that I do not have any fond memories of the place – I certainly have many, and it has served me well over the years. However, we would all do well to remember that it has lasted far beyond the point where it arguably should have. At some stage, change had to happen.
Today, just across the street from the Lorong Sultan A&W outlet, there stands a FamilyMart branch – a clear sign of the changes that have taken place in the area, as over the last two years, FamilyMart branches have been sprouting like mushrooms across the Klang Valley.
The juxtaposition of the old A&W outlet and the new FamilyMart branch is a stark, striking reminder that, despite the memories that we may hold of a place, time will pass, new brands and stores will emerge, and what was once held dear must inevitably be released.
By no means am I saying that the A&W outlet deserves to be forgotten. I fully understand the sentiments attached to the place and the fact that multiple generations have enjoyed meals there. It was clearly a special place for many people.
However, even the most loyal customers should ask themselves: “Is it really worth saving a building which is clearly not meeting the requisite standards just for the sake of sentimentality?”
It’s time to take off the nostalgia goggles and look at the situation objectively.
As time passes, outlets and stores will come and go. The Lorong Sultan A&W has had quite the run, but its time is now up. It’s no different from any other store or outlet that closes down or relocates: customers will feel sad for a short time, but before long, they will move on from it and carry on with their lives.
Ultimately, progress must triumph over sentiment.
Eu Weijun works for FMT.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.