Interviews and commentary by Rui Pastorin
When I was a kid, my parents and I would often frequent Centro Comercial Teatro Capitol in the city centre. The building was old and decrepit, while the cinema had long since closed by that time. But there were still a variety of reasons to visit.
At the entrance, the smell of delicacies like egg waffles and the peanut-butter filled waffle sandwiches emitted from a quick-moving and always busy stall, greeting a line of customers. Venturing into a dimly lit interior were shops selling fruit juices, toys, and, at another entrance, a variety of skewers and offal. The basement, if I remember correctly, even had a video arcade. Since renovation work a few years ago, the entire building stands looking far better than the way it ever did while I was growing up.
The ground floor still sees shops offering a variety of food and beverages from fruit juices and bubble tea to crepes and even Turkish food, alongside hair products and gadgets. Moving upwards, claw machines, a small nail salon, a DJ school and a car model kit shop are among what you might find. Visitors might even see remnants of what was once there through the many unoccupied shops still up for rent, including, at one point, a former fortune teller’s shop.
Wanting to explore what is on offer right now, the Post spoke with three businesses yesterday afternoon to learn about them and what it’s like to run their business since setting up shop there.
A hidden spot for doughnuts & coffee
On the third floor, DanDan Donut has been around for three years. Danica, the owner and a self-professed doughnut fan, runs the 10 square-metre shop daily, selling specialty doughnuts, cakes and a variety of beverages, being the baker, barista and cashier, while also taking on duties like design. “It’s like a one-man show but I’m very grateful because I’m happy doing it”, said Danica, adding that seeing people enjoy what she makes is fulfilling.
Starting off as a home-based business to fill the gap for Macau’s lack of doughnut shops, the physical establishment opened in 2022. And while it wasn’t easy, through hard work and word of mouth, they were able to not only survive, but catch up. “It’s been three years already, but we’re still thriving, but of course, slowly, but surely”, said Danica.
The local Filipina added that most of her customers are students from various local schools. Busy days see her serving between 30 and 50 customers a day, while quiet days see between 20 to 30 people. The shop also serves as a pick-up point for orders, including for parties.
Most of the time, Danica said that the area is quiet, with afternoons seeing the most people given that most are going home from school and work. While generally happy with her shop’s location given that it is in the central part of Macau, some people entering the complex might not know that there are shops on the third floor given that some shops on the first and second floors are unoccupied. “But actually, it’s also like an advantage for me”, she said, noting that it is akin to being like a hidden spot. “If you found out about us, wow, I’m thankful, and you’re lucky that you found us too”. With time, Danica hopes to keep her business going and grow slowly, but surely.
“We chat like friends sometimes”
Making one’s way down to the first floor is a shop selling a variety of trading cards ranging from the ever-popular Pokémon to sport, some costing between hundreds and even thousands of patacas. Nineteen-year-old part-timer Lavinia said that the business has been there for about two years and although she herself was admittedly not too familiar with the building and its history, she finds a sense of community. “The people, although they are customers, we chat like friends sometimes”, the youngster described.
The shop does not always see a lot of customers, but there are loyal ones, she said, making it feel like a small community, adding that she feels happy to work there. And, with the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday, she predicted that more people will be buying their products.
“A higher chance of selling”
The basement level, meanwhile, doubles as a toy lover’s dream and a spot frequented by students to rest, have snacks and do their school homework in the seating area.
Filling most of this level are a variety of toys and collectible statues from both American and Japanese brands, showcasing not only recent releases, but even ones that came out years ago. A representative in his thirties said that they have been doing business there for about two months, having moved from their previous location. The reasoning, he said, was down to offering customers a more comfortable shopping experience across a larger space and, with food offerings, reaching students and letting them enjoy “shopping while eating”, as well as having a place to do their homework.
Since making the move to the complex, sales have been better, he said. He further highlighted that the current venue might be a place of opportunity, noting that they have a “higher chance of selling”.
Photos of Centro Comercial Teatro Capitol taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
