In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to rejuvenate Downtown Kuala Lumpur, creating a lively, inclusive, creative, and culturally rich hub that fosters a diverse community of local and international tourists. ZUS COFFEE’s new Kasturi Walk outlet has been designed to complement the artistic culture associated with Central Market and Kasturi Walk.
Passersby may have noticed the striking new mural, created by local artist and illustrator Nas Suha, along the exterior of the outlet. This mural embodies the creative vibes of the tourist hotspot while maintaining the classic and historic structure of the heritage building. This is the second collaboration between ZUS COFFEE and Nas Suha, following the impressive almost three-storey tall mural at ZUS COFFEE Taman Jubilee, Ipoh. Inspired by its patriotic spirit, Malaysian singer-songwriter Faizal Tahir had also chosen the new Kasturi Walk store as the backdrop for his latest music video, “31.8.57”, recognising it as a historical landmark in KL.
While the results continue to impress, a significant amount of back-end work went into developing the historical outlet. To preserve the heritage building’s façade, many challenging decisions were made to reinforce the overall structure and restore the unique features that many associate with Kasturi Walk. With the support of a local pest control expert, the local coffee chain also successfully addressed a termite issue during the restoration process. Today, the outlet is officially open and ready to serve the community of Downtown KL.
Nas Suha shared, “I am very excited to collaborate once again with ZUS COFFEE to revive a heritage building, so full of stories and history. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, stands a piece of art by a child of the nation that appreciates the history. It revolves around the combination of old and new, tradition and imagination, just like how ZUS COFFEE brings together boldness and warmth with every cup of coffee. A feeling of excitement arises when I see my artwork contribute to the brightening of the capital, and I hope this work becomes an iconic experience in the Central Market area of Kuala Lumpur.”
Kasturi Walk is an open-air, tourist-friendly flea market that offers a wide variety of kiosks and booths where local vendors sell their handicrafts, souvenirs, and accessories. The opening of the latest outlet highlights ZUS COFFEE’s commitment to the local community by featuring mural art that represents Malaysian culture and pride, combined with historical elements of Kasturi Walk. Its central location also makes it an ideal spot for tourists and locals alike as they explore this popular KL landmark.
“The opening of ZUS COFFEE Kasturi Walk aligns with our vision to be part of the community in the heart of Petaling Street. We aim to create the same memorability that international chains have when tourists try our coffee. The mural serves as a way for us at ZUS COFFEE to pay tribute to our Malaysian culture,” said Venon Tian, Chief Operating Officer of ZUS COFFEE.
The outlet retains the building’s origins, with few changes made to cater to the business’s needs whilst upholding the authenticity of its heritage and serving the public with modern flavours. The decision to preserve the building was due to its connection to the history of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre.
This new ZUS COFFEE outlet will also showcase exclusive Nas Suha merchandise featuring Kasturi Walk and Taman Jubilee store murals. Launching just in time for Merdeka, the all-new ZUS All Day Cup Corak collection will be available alongside ZUS’ Ngupi Instant range which launched earlier this year, giving customers even more ways to enjoy their favorite brew.
ZUS COFFEE, with its efforts and dedication to authenticity and culture, continues to grow through expansion in Southeast Asia.
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