Historic Hong Kong pawn shop gets new lease on life as vibrant community space

Inside a pre-war building in the heart of Hong Kong’s busy Wan Chai district, coffee, curios and Cantopop are now the fresh attractions breathing new energy into a historic pawn shop that closed its doors two years ago.As the nostalgic tunes of late Cantopop legend Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing spin on vinyl and fill the air, curious passers-by step inside to see the shop – located in the venerable tong lau or tenement building – that’s been granted a new lease on life.Built in 1924, the four-storey structure became home to Chun On Pawn Shop more than eight decades ago. After ceasing operations in 2024, the shop reopened in mid-August as a pop-up community and exhibition space. The venue now features old pawnbroking artefacts, historical photographs and workshops and community activities.