Ang Lu Heng, owner of the historic Tee Seng Store provision shop at Rosyth Road, died from pneumonia on Tuesday at the age of 86, according to his youngest sister speaking to Lianhe Zaobao. He operated the rustic shophouse and home for nearly seven decades before retiring in 2024 due to ailing health, and had been bedridden following a fall last September.
Life and Legacy at Tee Seng Store
Tee Seng Store operated as one of the last remaining provision shops located in a landed residential area before closing its doors on Dec 31, 2024. According to Lost & Found Serangoon, the shophouse was widely recognized for its authentic, old-school layout. The business gained broader public attention when it was featured in local filmmaker Royston Tan’s 2016 telemovie, The Provision Shop.
Ang started working at the establishment when he was 15 years old. The business passed through multiple owners before he took over full operation at age 18. According to his younger siblings speaking in a 2020 documentary by Zaobao, Ang devoted his entire life to keeping the grocery store running to support family expenses and fund his siblings’ education.
Did you know? Tee Seng Store was immortalized on screen in Royston Tan’s 2016 telemovie The Provision Shop, capturing the vanishing architecture and community spirit of Singapore’s old-school provision shops.
Multilingual Connections With the Community
Beyond running the sundry shop, Ang was remembered by his family for his courteous demeanor and linguistic adaptability. According to his youngest sister, he was “polite and tactful” and picked up languages such as Tamil, Sinhala, and Tagalog specifically to communicate with the migrant workers and domestic helpers who frequented Tee Seng Store.
Even after his retirement, Ang maintained a quiet routine at the shop. His sister shared that he would spend time sitting in the closed shophouse. Following his passing, his funeral procession is scheduled for 9:30 am on Saturday, followed by cremation at Mandai Crematorium, according to his obituary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Tee Seng Store close?
Tee Seng Store officially closed its doors on Dec 31, 2024, after operating for nearly seven decades under Ang Lu Heng.
Where was the provision shop located?
The rustic shophouse was located at Rosyth Road in a landed residential area.
What media featured Tee Seng Store?
The provision shop was featured in local filmmaker Royston Tan’s 2016 telemovie, The Provision Shop, as well as a 2020 documentary by Lianhe Zaobao.
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