Fun fact about Bras Basah: it to be called 书城, but because it sounded like 输, they changed the name to 百胜楼. There were quite a number of graphic books stores in the past, and usually schools like to recommend students to head there to get their items. 5th floor is like the lobby for residents above, that's why part of it is like a "garden". Actually alot of these places are being given up due to digitalisation, and also because there is a digital alternative that is also being present. At the end of the day, it is not only the loss of a heritage, but also a fragment of character building as well, whether it be books or culture. For example, you had to make the effort to go head out to a specific place to buy a book or wait a period before it comes, and you have to save up for it - these days, you just need a credit card and you can have it in electronic format. You won't really appreciate it because there is no physical entity that you can take care of. Quite sad but our society is very fragmented as it is now too as common identity is lacking and so is cohesiveness.
Ah I wish the weather was good that day so we could have gone to 5th floor… on the origins on the name of the building, I’ve heard this saying before, but zaobao’s interview revealed another pov from another shop owner: “不过，真相却是，先有“百胜楼”，后有“书城”。书城音乐书局是百胜楼其中一个第一代店家，老板郭文发（70岁）告诉本报，打从一开始，“百胜楼”这招牌就在大厦外墙上，相信是取自英文名（Bras Basah）的谐音，书城才是后来人们起的别名。”
@@HongisBored I remember I saw the name 书城 first back in the early 2000s, then it was changed in the to reflect 百胜楼 when they did some renovations. Remembered this clearly because Bras Basah Art Friend became our "best friend" as our schools kept asking us to head there to buy materials...
@@sig.icetea errrmmmm..... but this building has been around from as early as 1980s - I know bcos that's where I used to hang out during my school hols back then. 🙂
That's why Cantonese call pork liver 豬肝 as 豬潤；乾杯 叫 飲勝; 空店出租 叫吉店出租；傘 (散) 叫 遮。I unknowingly gave a very close friend a set of kitchen knives and his mother gave me the money to buy for it hoping to break the spell. Yet, our friendship ended because of a misunderstanding. Don't share a pear (分梨), or give your friend handkerchiefs, clocks and cutting tools as gifts.
After watching this video , I rush to look over all my vintage cookbooks from the 1950’s , 60’s , 70’s 🥰 They are all out of print and no longer in circulation . I hope my children will not throw them away when I am no longer around but gift it to someone who will appreciate it .
@@HongisBoredQuite plain , no fancy visuals . Inside all black n white words , usually no photos . At most black n white illustrations . I like vintage cookbooks printed in Singapore and Malaysia . We had cooking and sewing classes in school back in the 1970’s . What about you and your sister ?
Very interesting content! Glad I came across your channel! Finished watching all the old mall series in a day! Please do more !! 😎 Jie Jie very cute in all videos 😂
I went there twice for Basheer Graphic books. Yes, it’s out of the way and I remembered that I whinged all the way there from city hall mrt. Anyway, there’s reason to go there again after seeing that cute shop - When i was four. Thank you 😊
Wa I enjoyed this vid. I used to go there often with my dad. He is an architect and will bring my brother and I along when he needs to stock up on stationery and supplies. I went there recently and thought it’s cool seeing the old and new shops coexisting, didn’t know there’s so many other hidden gems! This makes me want to bring my dad there to explore again, see how it changed, and try the durian curry (good Father’s Day activity haha). But hor, Bras Basah Complex has a peculiar character, it’s not as glitzy as nearby malls, not as historical as raffles hotel opposite, it’s not too new not too old, a bit modern yet a bit run down. Will be interesting to see how it adapts to the changing times. Hope it doesn’t get torn down and redeveloped into yet another mall
I absolutely agree. It’s not gentrified to the point of Arab street, which then serves as a tourist spot. But neither does it feel overly heritage. But I also think it’s that weird mix that makes it feel strangely authentic
How true! Now Digital online reading is more popular, However, it is wonderful to find treasures from printed materials. The bookstore complex looked interesting and fun! Next must touring spot in SG. 😉
I think what’s remarkable about Bras Basah is that they stock some works of local indie authors too. Like Samsui sword & Chou Chou introduced in last episode.
My Next destination…Bras Basah!! Thank you once again! 😄👍 U are rite, if only it has under ground connection like Funan to City Hall for better accessibility.😬 That 作文簿bag is too cute! 🤭🫶🏻
Saw in shows and documentaries. Was googling something I read about hands but found out instead that another school of thought is no need gloves, just clean dry hands will be ok. So learned something new from your question.
Bras Basah Complex also has a few other interesting places that were not mentioned. Art supplies - Art Friend (large and wide variety of art supplies), various shops selling art papers, chinese calligraphy shops Fountain pens - Fook Hing Trading has knowledgeable staff and are willing to help beginners. Narrative Coffee - A small cafe that takes pride in their coffee. Crust and Crumbs - Croissants
@@HongisBored Haha, understand. Once you get older, it is hard to sleep if you drink coffee after 3pm and if you have more than 2 cups of coffee a day.
I can't imagine travelling without internet or GPS sia... Last time, during NS, I'm vehicle commander...topo with map, hollan like siao! When I finally have 4G and GPS, become topo king... Advancement in technology, killed off the importance for books, maps, compasses and phone books...ppl take knowledge for granted nowadays...
I think all these should better be kept in a museum instead of in a bookshop as only few would buy these items . Open a private museum or donate it to a history museum can let more people know all about these old things instead of selling all these rare things in a shop .
