Activist-owned store quits HK

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A children's clothing store owned by a pro-democracy businessman has announced its withdrawal from Hong Kong, saying "evil powers" have disrupted the company's normal operation.

The 32-year-old clothing brand Chickeeduck is owned by Herbert Chow Siu-lung, who supports anti-fugitive bill protesters.

The stores will exit the Hong Kong market in the second half of 2022, it announced.

"Instead of wasting time, effort and capital to fight against unknown evil powers continuously, and put Chickeeduck's coworkers, collaborating artists and local brands at risk, we might as well take a step back and exit Hong Kong with the unchanged identity of a Hong Kong brand," he said yesterday.

Chickeeduck said in a statement that many mainland manufacturers with which it has had long-term partnerships have been pressured to stop producing products for the firm since the company voiced its opinion in 2019.

The company also said its staffers were being stalked and smeared, and they have received hundreds of malicious calls each month. It had received complaints leading to investigations by government departments.

"We promise to keep launching products with Hong Kong characteristics, voicing for social justice and walking along with Hongkongers in a different way," it added.

Over the weekend, the brand's Tin Hau store removed a bronze statue of Liu Xiaobo upon authorities' request.

Chickeeduck's branch at D Park in Tsuen Wan was also warned last year to remove a two-meter-tall pro-democracy Lady Liberty statue.

Separately, the last dessert branch of Hui Lau Shan in Yau Tong will close at the end of this month, putting an end to the six-decade-old dessert empire famous for its fresh mango sago.

Founded by Hui Chi-yuk in the early 1960s, Hui Lau Shan first started selling traditional herbal jelly and herbal tea by trolley in Yuen Long.

While it once had 300 branches in Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Malaysia, the chain has been embroiled in court cases over its debts.

The High Court handed down an order on May 26 to wind up Hui Lau Shan Food Manufacturing Co.
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