A well-established angling store is closing down soon and SAM CHEONG hears the bad and good news.
AFTER 14 years serving the angling community from his store at Taman Sri Subang in Selangor, Tightlines tacklestore owner, Bob Chang has decided to call it a day. Endearingly known as Uncle Bob, the popular angler will cease running his business by Oct 1.
Chang, 61, who commutes regularly from his home in Seremban to Subang, said it was a tough decision. "I started out in the early 1990s with most of the fishing gear I used for my angling hobby being imported from the United States via mail-order. Soon, there was a demand for high quality gear; I decided to open Tightlines, which became a meeting place for anglers from the neighbourhood," he recalled.
Chang didn't expect too much out of the venture because it was meant to be merely a means to support his hobby. Tightlines, though, became known throughout the angling community.
"I learned so much from the customers who walked in, some of whom became my regulars, and subsequently, fishing buddies. They parted with their knowledge, which I truly treasure."
He added that if it was not for his regulars who contributed to the growth and success of the outlet, his business may have closed even sooner. "I have these folk to thank. Many were shocked to hear about my plans to close down. I hope despite this, we remain friends."
For Chang, the high cost of importing fishing equipment as well as sourcing from local distributors has become too much to bear. He added that since margins are low, the lack of demand for such goods has became a conclusive factor in his call to wind up the business.
"My customers were very sympathetic towards the situation, but I have done everything I possibly can to hold fort. As a token of my appreciation, I am going to mark down prices so that all the good stuff can go to them instead of dealers who have conveyed their keenness in taking over my stock," he said.
Chang said he has decided to concentrate on his writing; he is a regular columnist for an angling magazine and the feature section of a local daily.
"With business out of the way, I have more time to develop my writing skills and actually go for longer fishing trips with my buddies," he said, jokingly.
Chang also hopes to be active in social work and in the conservation efforts of a species of fish called ikan kelah (Malayan Masheer), which is being over-fished.
"I am a member of the Kelah Action Group of Malaysia (KAGUM), which was formed a few years ago. The movement's aim is to raise awareness of the importance of the Malayan Masheer, and its role in the preservation of the environment."
Tightlines, which is located at Taman Sri Subang, will close by the end of September. And if you wish to pay Bob Chang a visit and enjoy a decent conversation over some teh tarik, at call him at 03-5637-2682 or email tightlinesmy@yahoo.com.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Fri...6173750/ArticleThis post has been edited by |ce_cube: Sep 7 2007, 10:31 AM 
Sep 6 2007, 05:13 PM
He didn't notice i think... no price check also.. 
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