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

Bras Basah Complex - Singapore’s unofficial Book City. While the buildings and streets in the vicinity have evolved into a modern and bustling commercial district, Bras Basah Complex continues to hold on to its identity as a bastion of book culture. In more recent times demand for books is waning and the veneer of Book City, fading. Many of the complex’s tenants have called it quits. Three family-run businesses - a Chinese art supplies business, a design bookstore and a Chinese bookstore - are still hanging on. What will keep them going on?
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[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Potomacstud]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@genosypheus]

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.

[@ownthegame3]

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

[@lotus108able]

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

[@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。

[@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?

[@rocketsteel]

Also known as BBC in the old days.

[@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?

[@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

[@russiasucks7170]

I love this documentary - like piece of work. On the other hand promote Singapore culture not Chinese culture