Exploring old shops isn't about nostalgia, but about understanding Hong Kong better. As cultural vessels, documenting old shops helps us understand Hong Kong's history, culture, customs, community characteristics, industry changes, and even geographical features. This book first uses a "point-by-point" approach to narrate the history and stories of old shops one by one, then uses a "line-by-line" approach to interpret the connections between these shops. It even includes traditional design patterns and other aesthetics of old shops, hoping to present a more three-dimensional picture of Hong Kong's old shops. The trend of old shops closing down has never stopped, and fewer and fewer will be able to stand strong against the tide of time. However, our lives have never truly been separated from old shops. Documenting old shops preserves history and helps us understand our Hong Kong.
