As you travel down Street 214 toward Monivong Boulevard, look out on your left side and you will see bright red Chinese lanterns and decorations hanging in front of the Chinese New Year specialty shop where Seak Lay works.

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“We set up our shop two months before the Chinese New Year and we dismantle everything immediately after the New Year,” Seak Lay explains.

According to Seak Lay, supplies are imported directly by the shop’s owner, who makes an annual visit to China three months in advance of the New Year.

The shop caters to a wide clientele that includes both local Chinese and Khmer families and quite a few corporate customers, many of whom buy an array of Chinese New Year items. “It is a very busy time,” Seak Lay says, gesturing around the crowded shop.

People were crowding in the shop last week, buying every kind of red-coloured lucky wall hanging and dragon-themed ornaments.

As for her own Chinese New Year plans, Seak Lay will travel to Kandal Province to celebrate with her family.