Inside Bras Basah Complex: How We're Keeping Our Family Businesses Alive | An Unfinished Portrait

[@jbrkjferkjbekjb]

im actually impressed by this documentary, and especially the effort made by one of the owners to do livestreaming. you can tell it isnt frivolous at all based on the equipment he used, and the video he posted which looks quite professional, a camera facing him and another facing his product, the lighting and everything. the effort must be applauded esp when they talk about how he is an introvert which i can relate to. i hope the businesses survive. not easy to be a bookstore owner nowadays but there is beauty is reading hardcopy books imo

[@cnachopchopnewsagency]

I hope Bras Basah Complex will stay for another 100 years. Always love this place for nostalgia and to get second hand books at good price. Even in digital age, the book enthusiasts still exist.

[@kaycee_sg3355]

Basheer was a godsend when I was a student at LaSalle. They came in a van to our Telok Kurau campus full of books, already thinking out of the box back then.

[@ronaldlct]

Maha Yu Yi is a gem of an independent Chinese bookstore. I discovered them once I started reading Chinese fiction (c. post-Circuit Breaker), and their books were always well-sorted and curated. For a single literary classic like 红楼梦 (Dream of the Red Chamber), they would carry way more related titles (critiques, study guides, etc) than the "brand-name" stores like Kinokuniya or Zall. They even have an entire shelf devoted to various Chinese classics (史记，大学，etc) and literary classics (唐诗宋词 etc) . They really are an unsung hero in Singapore's cultural and intellectual life. Whenever I visit, the other customers are mostly older-aged uncles. Hopefully we can cultivate a younger generation of Chinese readers to give their business a future.

[@gilbertchua2990]

This is a well put together documentary! Being a creative as well as a parent, Bras Basah Complex holds alot of dear memories for me and my family! Many countless of hours were spent in Basheer as a Fashion design student in Raffles Lasalle, many hours were spent at the many 2nd hand book shops as well as Popular book store introducing my kid to the world of books now and when old books that i used to once read and enjoy! There is a also a great coffee at Narrative Coffee Stand! I just love the vibe here!

[@joseeng5835]

Bras Basah Complex will always have a special place in my heart. The vibe is uniquely soothing and the reading material options are just amazing.

[@Potomacstud]

Superb video , i grew up surrounded in a strong book culture , book people exudes refinement in the way they carries themselves

[@s._3560]

Diversified with complimentary shops like cafes, galleries, comic shops, hobby shops. Organise book festivals, cultural events, independent writers event, reading by authors with wine & cheese, food festivals in conjunction with books. Repaint the place and upgrading on the building to make it more appealing to younger generation.

[@EventH]

Hard copies of books generate a significant amount of waste, evident in the tons of books sold at throwaway prices during clearance sales. One solution to the waste generated by hard copies of books is to promote the use of digital books and e-readers. This reduces the need for physical copies and minimises waste. Additionally, encouraging the donation or recycling of unwanted books can help mitigate the environmental impact. Either of these will still spell then end of traditional bookstores.

[@TheTinyRedDot]

awesome documentary. did not check that it is in a long format before clicking, 47 mins just zoomed by in one continuous sitting, kudos to the candid content with masterful editing.

[@kartiniliu]

When I was graphic design student back then, I used to visit Basheer every weekend to read and choose what books to buy - it took so long that this Uncle Nasser reminded me that the shop will close in few minutes 😂 I even chose Basheer as my final project’s main subject

[@solvenet]

I was there for 'C' programming language books before www . There was a shop selling harmonica flute erhu guzheng learn guitar books cds magazines. Unforgettable atmosphere especially near xmas and CNY ...the calenders , ang pows, greeting cards on display near glass door swaying in the wind. Just few years ago another shop sells unique display stuff some cat theme ones. A awesome artsy bicycle sit outside its door. All gone i think.

[@ownthegame3]

great documentary love going to Bras Basah Complex as a student hope it continues to evolve and find an identity

[@fondue80]

Can incorporate it as a unique art experience Center for the shoppers. Cafes with bookstores side by side, calligraphy classes, art classes, dance studio, music Center

[@Epibatidine]

I remember all the happy memories losing myself in the second handbook shops.. always a treasure trove..

[@shorttsubaki4126]

Honestly basheer has a wider collection of books than kinokuniya for arts, I recommend it more than kino

[@lengho6294]

Remind me of my secondary days , looking for sec 4 n pre-u past exam books. 百胜搂给我們很多快樂。

[@lotus108able]

I enjoyed my Chinese book “treasure hunting” time at Maha Yu Yi years ago

[@geriatricsJakarta]

There was a medical bookstore at the top floor ... I was wondering what happened to that store ...

[@mrtienphysics666]

How many more years can this last?

[@lengho6294]

Can organise a robot competition to attract young people

[@anasqai]

Is the title really like that? The story of missing baby the design architect like bras Basah complex, have it been settled I wonder.

[@anasqai]

I think the top structure should become a hotel and the level 1(rooftop of this) of hotel to be restaurant and skeeball place.

[@anasqai]

If the first level of bras Basah to be glass panel door then 2nd level to open, to try Cybercafe and snookers will be nice. The ruling activity like security will not exist anyhow? Like golden Mile, Suntec City? If anything happen to block a business flow, will it become like McDonald's stopped by Japan at that time? The drinks here is cheapest nice to be Rations. There's a big Aircon to add that and try for windmill and mini waterfall river type for electricity?

[@rocketsteel]

Also known as BBC in the old days.

[@botaktatasumo]

Omg ENOUGH with the Oriental angle ffs. Basheer needs to be catalogued. It will help their business tremendously. Only allow in-store pick-ups and/or reservations. They have alot of books that they forgot they had. I know cause it happened twice😂 Also bring in more AFFORDABLE attractions. Comics are big! I remember they had one but didn't work out cause they scam their customers. Bring in art jamming. Hire people who can do classes or invite local artists to conduct some classes too. Get rid of the Popular that is there tbh...ArtFriend is already good enough. Replace those 3 levels with hobbyist stores. Hobbyist stores like for Mecha lovers? Anime lovers or cosplayers? Terrarium or an Aquarium....aquascaping maybe??? Could even have a terrarium-scape workshop too! And those "art galleries" need a revamp...how many times can you see chinese ink painting? Its good but its over saturated. Invited people to donate their art....comics art, portrait art, propaganda art, landscape art, fan art, anime art....soooooo manyyyyyyyyyyy thingsssssssss

[@anziar3038]

Wow! S'poreans are spending more because they're very rich indeed. Many thanks to the PAP govt for bringing them wealth by means of stable and high-paying jobs.❤❤

[@russiasucks7170]

F your propaganda