SUBANG Jaya has always been a throbbing hub, flooded with people looking to enjoy the latest trends in food and entertainment. Today, due to the pandemic, this food mecca is gloomy and deserted, with many small traders having to shutter their businesses since the first movement control order (MCO) was implemented in March of last year.
Many traders have had to be creative to ensure the survival of their livelihoods.
One of them is burger stall, Burgirls, who faced this bitter reality when they were forced to close the Meteora cafe, which has long been their 'home'.
The MCO and erratic standard operating procedures (SOPs) have further disrupted their business.
“In the past, our café was always full of people and a popular local hang out. After the implementation of the MCO, which does not allow movement of more than 10 km and 'dine in', our previously lucrative daily sales revenue has been so sorely affected.
“Some days we don’t get any direct orders, and some days we only earn RM100. After the first MCO, we could no longer afford the operating costs due to the very limited income.
"Even now we only have one employee who has been with us for the past five years," said Maryam Arissa, co-founder of Burgirls.
Although Boom City at SS17, Subang Jaya had been Burgirls' lucrative home for a while, Maryam is now trying her luck by setting up her business operations right in front of her house.
She said the relocation has actually helped give them more exposure as more people came to know about Burgirls.
“However, with the increase in Covid cases recently and the limited business operation hours, our sales have begun to decline.
"Although the stress is sometimes unbearable, we know all this is God's test. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but we think this stall is the best way forward, especially as we have small children at home. After all, wherever we do business, it will not dampen our fighting spirit.
“We always have to remember our purpose in starting this business. We want to produce luxury, gourmet burgers at affordable prices so that everyone can enjoy them."
Each burger patty is handmade with her original recipe and well-seasoned with spices and herbs that gives them their delicious taste.
“We also cook our patties at a certain temperature to ensure the texture is soft and not chewy. Not many people know this special technique,” she explained.
Their burgers are named after famous artistes such as Ariana (RM10), Beyonce (RM10), Adele (RM14) and Kim K (RM14), J.Lo (RM18) and Selena G (RM18).
What differentiates each selection is the way the patty is cooked – either grilled, crushed or fried. The secret ingredient of each burger are the mouth-watering, individual sauces.
The stall now has its own regulars who continue to support the business. Maryam prays that her online business will continue to thrive and one day, expand.
“The journey is still long but we are happy that God has helped show us this direction. We never dreamed that we could one day reach this level in our business.
"The challenges faced during the pandemic has taught us patience and the courage to keep working and strive harder.
"Honestly, we can't begin to imagine how it would be if we succumbed to our feelings of frustration and despair and did not rise again," she added.
She still harbours the hope that one day her café can be re-opened and expand to more branches in the next five years.
The Burgirls stall is open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. You can place your orders via their Instagram page. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021
*This story first appeared in our Malay-language sister portal Getaran.
*** #PetraKasih is an initiative under the Vinod Sekhar Foundation to assist and promote food stalls and small traders, including home-based businesses, during the pandemic. Each week, Getaran will highlight the plight of different food traders. If you know a food stall or small trader in your area and feel they deserve to be featured, contact us at [email protected].
