Service as usual at PJ A&W for now, new outlet opening nearby

The iconic A&W restaurant in PJ was popular for its drive-in. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, May 15, 2015.

Despite earlier announcements that the iconic A&W restaurant in Petaling Jaya will be closed down to make way for a redevelopment project on the site, patrons can continue to enjoy their root beer floats and Coney dogs for now as no date has been set for the closure of the outlet.

Sources close to the fastfood chain, which has been around since 1965, said the redevelopment plans would still proceed but no date had been fixed at the moment.

The source revealed to The Malaysian Insider that the twin tower project would still take place at the site and the A&W restaurant would be incorporated into the project.

"The outlet won't be shut down, we are only closing it down for renovation. The drive-in will still be there after reopening," the source said.

"There was a bit of delay in the timeline, partly because we received a lot of requests from customers to postpone the closure.

"No date has been set as yet for the closure, but it will likely to be in a few months time."

News of the impending closure of the popular restaurant in Lorong Sultan had resurfaced lately following the completion of a new A&W outlet at the PJ Palms Sport Centre, which is located a mere 300 metres from the exisiting outlet.

It is learnt that the new outlet is ready and may open its doors to the public as early as this weekend.

An employee at the present A&W restaurant, who declined to be named, said even they were clueless as to when the outlet would be demolished for the redevelopment plans.

"All we know is that there are now two A&W oulets here in PJ. We have yet to a receive a memo on any closure."

The Malaysian Insider had cited a report in the Edge Financial Daily in July last year that the A&W restaurant in PJ was scheduled to close last December for redevelopment.

Workers putting the finishing touches to the new outlet at PJ Palms Sport Centre. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, May 15, 2015.The Petaling Jaya landmark was set to be demolished after KUB Malaysia Bhd, the franchise holder for the A&W restaurants, announced the construction of two office towers at the site next to the Taman Jaya LRT station, near Amcorp Mall.

It was reported that the A&W restaurant would be relocated temporarily to make way for the project and would return in 2018 with a fresh and improved look when the project is ready.

The PJ branch made its name not only for its food but also by virtue of being the first family-oriented restaurant in Malaysia to introduce a drive-in.

However, the restaurant is beginning to show its age. A recent check found that the restaurant was in a dilapidated state.

The paint on the façade of the building has faded and it is learnt that the drive-in service had ceased for more than a decade.

Many who had patronised the PJ A&W restaurant over the years have fond memories of the time spent there with loved ones and friends.

Penny Chan recalled enjoying ice cream with her grandmother and other family members  at the outlet in the 1970s.

"During one such visit to the outlet, we were on our way out when we passed by my brother who was at the drive-in with a girl. It turned out to be their first date. We were eager to get to know her and my brother was really embarassed. Today, that girl has been my sister-in-law for close to 40 years," she said.

K. Sivasampoh said A&W was where he used to hang out with his friends in the 1970s and 1980s.

"Being a PJ boy, A&W was our favourite haunt after our training at the Timor field  which used to be our track training venue. A&W was our sponsor and naturally we adjourned to the restaurant after our training," he said.

As a young child, Joey Sze had enjoyed having her meal at the drive-in where the food would be placed on a tray hung on the car window.

"There was nothing more enjoyable than having a Root Beer float served in frosted mugs and delicious Coney dogs," she said.

Sze, however, expressed disappointment that the standard of service had dropped over the years.

"The service should improve if they are to introduce the drive-in again," she said.

A&W Malaysia has been going through a major revamp with KUB closing down at least 27 outlets throughout the country since 2011. About 20 more outlets are still in operation.

Our queries to KUB Malaysia Bhd for comments have yet to yield any answers.

- TMI