Tang Choon Keng (Chinese: 董俊竞; pinyin: Dǒng Jùnjìng; born 12 September 1901 in Swatow, China; died 3 September 2000 in Singapore) was a Singaporean entrepreneur, who founded Tangs department store in Singapore. He was popularly known as CK Tang.

Early life

A Teochew, Tang was born at the turn of the 20th century in China to a Presbyterian pastor. He emigrated to the British colony of Singapore in 1923.

In Singapore, Tang began as a door-to-door salesman peddling hand-made Swatow lace, embroidery and linen products. With a hired rickshaw, Tang carried his goods in a tin trunk which remained in his possession as a reminder of his humble beginnings. Tang later became known as the "Tin Trunk Man" and the "Curio King" for his rags to riches legacy.

The entrepreneur

In 1932, Tang was able to embark on a larger venture, having accumulated sufficient funds through hard work. He established a department store in 1932 with an initial capital of S$3,000. Tang set up his first shop on the first floor of a building on River Valley Road, selling craft products from China.

Subsequently in 1940, Tang built a building at the corner of Jalan Mohamed Sultan and River Valley Road. He called this edifice Gainurn Building, a variation of his father's name Tang Gan Urn. Its department store sold a vast array of merchandise.

In 1958, Tang bought a 1,351-square metre piece of land at the corner of Orchard Road and Scotts Road to further his vision of expanding his business. Although the site faced the Tai San Ting Cemetery, he felt the it had commercial value as many British housewives in the Tanglin area could stop by on their way to the city.

CK Tang is credited with leading the way for the retail market in Singapore establishing Orchard Road as the premier retail district of Singapore.

Later life

Mr Tang officially retired in 1987, one of his sons; Tang Wee Sung, went on to head up TANGS eventually moving the brand from the founder name, CK Tang to come to be known as TANGS.

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