Key Maker Uncle

Loaded with boxes of uncut keys, Mr Lai runs his key making business at Block 962 Jurong West Street 91 everyday without fail, from 8AM to 8PM. He has been there with his makeshift key machine booth since 30 years ago.

His modest business allowed him to raise his family up till this day. Even after all his children being in the workforce, he still keeps his key making business as he firmly believes that duplicating new keys should be made available and affordable for everyone. He mentioned that though shopping malls has such services, he still finds meaning extending his services to the older community. Right now, all you need is S$2 to make a new key.

I do not recommend the younger generation to follow this route. Most youngsters would choose to go to new shopping malls instead of visiting shops like this one. Shopping mall nowadays are getting bigger and offering so much more as compared to what my shop can offer, even when comes to duplication of keys. Therefore customers that patronize my shop are mostly the older generation living around the neighborhood. - Mr Lai

New keys often bring about great responsibility; representing a new phase of life. For instance, when you grow old enough, your parents will give you a new set of keys. This encompasses the freedom to enter and exit your house whenever. The next phase would be when you have your first house or even your first car, the set of key gives you ownership and access to your possessions. Hence, Mr Lai will always ask his customers to take good care of their keys.

So, how important are your keys to you?

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