Shops popular among ’90s kids in Malaysia
If you were a 90s kid in Malaysia, you’re probably familiar with several once-popular brands from your growing up years. Your childhood days were likely spent hanging out at your favourite joints, renting rom-coms on VCDs, and sneaking a few extra candies into the trolley during hypermarket runs with your parents.
These spots weren’t just places to shop or eat – they also shaped our childhood and teenage years with core memories. Sadly, many of them have disappeared, having made way for the digital era. For a trip down memory lane, let’s revisit some of the shops that were popular among 90s kids and are no longer around in Malaysia.
Table of Contents
1. Shakey’s Pizza
Image credit: Reddit
If you grew up in the ‘90s, chances are you remember the sheer joy of sinking your teeth into a slice of pizza from Shakey’s Pizza and getting your fingers greasy with those legendary potato mojos. The US pizza restaurant chain was once the go-to spot for carb-loaded feasts on family outings and birthday celebrations, with multiple outlets in Malaysia.
With fierce competition from giants like Pizza Hut and Domino’s, Shakey Pizza’s outlets slowly left our neighbourhoods. By 2009, the pizza joint officially vanished from the local food scene, leaving only fond memories behind.
2. Speedy Video
Image credit: Muhammad Imran via Facebook
Before the days of Netflix, we had Speedy Video, the ultimate treasure trove for ‘90s kids who lived for movie nights. Since it opened in 1989, the iconic video store became the go-to spot for movie buffs to buy the latest blockbusters on VCD, DVD, and BluRay.
The brand’s outlets carried titles in almost every genre – it even had exclusive rights to movie home releases from Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. In its heyday, Speedy Video operated 92 stores in Malaysia, including a flagship shop at Mid Valley Megamall. In 2020, the company shuttered its remaining 14 stores during the pandemic.
3. Rock Corner
Before music playlists were just a tap away, Rock Corner was every music lover’s sanctuary – a place where flipping through stacks of CDs was a ritual and discovering new artists and albums felt like striking gold.
The music store opened its doors in 1990 at Kota Raya before making a move to The Gardens Mall. It quickly became a household name, expanding to nine outlets at its peak. For 11 years, its stores stood strong, offering not just CDs and vinyl records but also music equipment and ticketing services for concerts.
As digital streaming platforms took over, the beloved music store faced an uphill battle. By 2018, it played its final track, closing its doors for good.
4. Pay Less Books
Image credit: Idrus via Blogspot
When it comes to sifting out affordable preloved books, Pay Less was once the destination for bookworms in the country. It carried English titles from the UK and the US in a variety of genres, all sold at low prices. And if this wasn’t wallet-friendly enough for us, the bookstore used to host warehouse sales beyond its permanent branches at malls like Atria, 1 Utama, and Summit shopping malls.
5. Yaohan
Image credit: Malaysia Shopping Mall via Facebook
Many Malaysians fondly remember Yaohan as part of their childhood, especially its role as a weekend family destination for clothes, food, and furniture. The Japanese retail chain gained significant popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, including in Malaysia, where it operated from The Mall, now Sunway Putra Mall, and the now-demolished Plaza OUG.
Image credit: Rizal Hakimm Punyer via Facebook
6. Makro Cash & Carry
Image credit: Malaysia Shopping Malls via Facebook
Makro Cash & Carry was the OG wholesale market for Malaysians looking to stock up on daily essentials. The Dutch cash-and-carry giant made its debut in Shah Alam in 1994, quickly becoming a favourite for bargain hunters and families looking to buy in bulk.
With additional outlets in KL and JB, Makro became the place to be for anyone looking to fill up an entire trolley without breaking the bank. Only hindrance for many – shoppers had to have a membership to enter the store.
However, all good things must come to an end—or in this case, get a makeover. In 2007, Makro in Malaysia was acquired by Tesco and its remaining 8 stores were rebranded as Tesco Extra.
7. Carrefour
Image credit: Orang Wangsa Maju via Blogspot
Before grocery runs became quick online checkouts, Carrefour was the go-to grocery spot for many Malaysians. The French hypermarket chain landed in Malaysia in 1994, bringing with it wide aisles and those massive trolleys that made shopping here a mini adventure for anyone growing up in the ‘90s.
At its peak, Carrefour had 26 branches across the country, but in 2012, it bid adieu to Malaysians after selling its outlets to the AEON Group. The stores were rebranded as AEON BIG, a name that still dominates the hypermarket scene today.
8. Fajar Supermarket
Image credit: Kuala Lumpur City via Blogspot
Before big-name hypermarkets took over the shopping scene in Malaysia, Fajar Supermarket was the place to be for everyday shopping in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The supermanet was founded in 1984, offering everything from fresh produce to household appliances and toys at budget prices.
But as newer supermarket chains started popping up, competition became fierce. By 2007, Fajar closed its doors, unable to keep up with the changing retail landscape. Though it’s no longer around, the name still sparks nostalgia for those who remember its no-frills shopping experience and the simpler days of grocery runs with family.
9. Globe Silk Store
Image credit: Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia Kawasan Segamat via Facebook
Globe Silk Store was a household name among locals looking for quality fabrics and affordable clothes. Founded in 1930 in Segamat, Johor, the iconic department store was the go-to spot for festive outfits, school uniforms, and textiles.
But even legends have their struggles. Over the years, mismanagement and financial troubles took a toll on the business, and by 2005, Globe Silk Store had closed its doors for good.
10. Bubba Gump
Image credit: Yik Sheng Lee via Google Reviews
For seafood lovers and movie buffs alike, Bubba Gump was more than just a restaurant – it was an experience. Inspired by the beloved film Forrest Gump, the lively American-style eatery made a name for itself with its Cajun seafood, Southern charm, and playful movie references. You might recall its light-up plastic cups that you could bring home.
Image credit: Sweet Home Moms
Its most famous branch in Sunway Pyramid was a go-to spot for diners craving shrimp in all its glorious forms, while additional outlets in Citta Mall and The Curve kept the good times rolling. However, by 2018, local news reported that Bubba Gump had closed its doors in Malaysia, unable to keep up with rising costs and shifting dining trends.
11. Papa John’s
Image credit: KL Chin
Once upon a time, Papa John’s stood as a slice of heaven and one of the most popular pizza chains in Malaysia. The US-based pizza chain brought its signature tagline “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” to Malaysia, winning fans over with its fresh toppings, cheesy goodness, and signature garlic butter dip. However, by 2016, all branches were officially closed.
12. Cathay Cineplex
Image credit: Cinema Online
PJ folks might recall hanging out at the now defunct eCurve, formerly known as Cineleisure Damansara. The mall was once a haven for teens looking to lepak at toy stores, comic book shops, and fast food chains.
On its top floor, shoppers could find a go-to entertainment spot, Cathay Cineplex, which opened in 2006 with 10 movie halls. It was the Singaporean cinema chain’s second outlet in Malaysia, with the other operating in JB. In 2016, the cinema was rebranded to mmCineplexes before it quietly closed down.
13. Video Ezy
Image credit: Yelp
It’s hard to miss Video Ezy’s eye-catching orange sign. If not for the packed aisles of VCDs bearing all the new movie releases of the time, of course.
The Australian home video rental shop expanded abroad with its first branch in Asia in KL in 1997. It had plans to open 150 stores in the country by 2003 but settled on nine in 2005. The company slowly closed its stores across the globe, including in Malaysia, due to legal streaming services and illegal movie downloads.
14. Borders
Image credit: Borders
Borders was an international bookstore chain that originated in the US. It was one of the largest bookstore chains globally, offering a wide range of books, magazines, music, and even gadgets. In Malaysia, it operated several outlets, including ones at Bangsar Village 2 in KL and Queensbay Mall in Penang. Some might recall its The Curve outlet having a Starbucks at the front.
Even when the brand was no longer active in its home country, closing all stores in the US in 2011, the bookstore continued to operate in Malaysia up until 2023.
15. Grandy’s
For Southern favourites like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and chicken fried steak, Grandy’s was once a popular food haunt for Malaysians. The American fast-casual restaurant chain and its lip-smacking lineup of Southern-style comfort food was introduced to locals in 1988, when it opened its first Malaysian outlet at Subang Parade in December.
Most would recall heading to their branches in KL, in Lot 10 and Jalan Pahang. And while their fried items were the go-tos for most, the OGs will fondly remember the cinnamon rolls.
Shops that were popular among 90s kids in Malaysia
From picking out the latest CD at Rock Corner to indulging in Bubba Gump’s Cajun seafood, these places weren’t just shops and restaurants – they were memories, experiences, and a huge part of our youth. While these brands may no longer be physically around, they definitely live on in our hearts – and in the endless “Remember when?” conversations with fellow 90s kids.
So, here’s to the legendary brands that made our childhoods extra special – you may be gone, but you’ll never be forgotten.
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Cover image adapted from: Reddit, Malaysia Shopping Mall via Facebook, Idrus via Blogspot