🏠 73 Years and Counting: The Story of Hai Soon Book Store (海顺书局)
📘 Where It All Began: Bound by Family
Founded in 1952 in the royal town of Klang, Selangor, Hai Soon Book Store (海顺书局) began as a humble brick-and-mortar bookstore. Its founder, Gan Yoke Tin, was among the early Chinese immigrants to Malaysia. Driven by a passion for education, he became a trusted supplier of textbooks to SJK(C) Chinese primary schools throughout the Klang district.
In addition to textbook distribution, Hai Soon also operated a school-based cooperative bookstore, offering students affordable access to stationery and essential school supplies.
👨👩👧 The Second Generation: Growing the Family Business
In 1965, the second generation — Tony Gan and Gan Kim Tian — stepped in to carry on the family legacy. Tony managed the daily operations of the retail store, while Gan Kim Tian led the B2B segment, supplying schools directly.
Tony’s wife, Jenny, also played a significant role. She helped manage the cooperative bookstore located within a school, continuing the family's tradition of service to the student community.
🧒👦 The Third Generation: A Childhood in Books
From as young as ten years old, third-generation siblings Gan Zee Jia and Gan Chee Kai were already immersed in the family business. Whether at the buying desk or assisting customers, they learned the ropes side by side with their parents.
Their involvement deepened over time, and eventually, the siblings officially took over the reins of Hai Soon Book Store after their parents and uncle retired — determined to preserve and grow a legacy built over decades.
🏆 The Legacy Lives On
For 73 years, Hai Soon Bookstore has been an integral part of the Klang education community. Guided by the core values of family, integrity, and service, three generations of the Gan family have worked tirelessly to move the business forward.
Today, we are proud to launch our online bookstore to offer customers a more convenient shopping experience. At the same time, we warmly invite customers to visit our physical store and enjoy our personal, one-on-one service.