'It broke my heart': Iconic Thambi Magazine Store closes at Holland Village
With tears in his eyes, owner of Thambi Magazine Store, Sam, closed the shutters of his shop along Lorong Liput for the last time on Sunday (May 5).
Periathambi Senthilmurugan, better known as Sam, at Thambi Magazine Store on the last day of its operations on May 5, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)
The shutters went down on Holland Village icon and landmark, Thambi Magazine Store along Lorong Liput for the last time on Sunday (May 5), after more than 80 years in business.
Its closure came three days after store owner Periathambi Senthilmurugan, better known as Sam, announced that he was closing shop at its current location - a move he would rather do than halve his display rack as instructed.
"After announcing that I am leaving, I was already half-dead, I got no mood," Sam told CNA Lifestyle on the store's last day of operations.
"I have not taken any proper meals, I cannot sleep and I cannot do anything. I am like a corpse walking around."
Its closure came three days after store owner Periathambi Senthilmurugan, better known as Sam, announced that he was closing shop at its current location - a move he would rather do than halve his display rack as instructed.
"After announcing that I am leaving, I was already half-dead, I got no mood," Sam told CNA Lifestyle on the store's last day of operations.
"I have not taken any proper meals, I cannot sleep and I cannot do anything. I am like a corpse walking around."
But as more and more people came by to offer him words of encouragement, as well as to show support in the store's last days, Sam said he put on a brave face, even though inside, his heart was breaking.
"Elderly people came, they cried. Young people came, they cried. Because they feel a sense of belonging with this place.
"It broke my heart."
"Elderly people came, they cried. Young people came, they cried. Because they feel a sense of belonging with this place.
"It broke my heart."
Sam had to hold back tears. "I have to (keep smiling). I don't want to cry in front of them, if they cried, I have to hide (my tears). I try to console them: 'Look, I'll be back, I'll be back. Don't worry.'"
"If I cry, they might think 'Oh no, he's going to go'," Sam said.
"No, I still have this urge. The roots are here, the plant must grow again," he said, hinting that he would find a way to rehome his magazine stand.
Daily Cuts: Thambi owner Sam on his decision to close the iconic Holland Village establishment
Sam did not expect such a large turnout. But seeing the overwhelming show of support and kind words, it has given him motivation to look for another location to set up shop again, and to keep the tradition of browsing magazines going.
At the time that CNA Lifestyle was at the store, many customers could be heard asking Sam: "Have you found a new place?", or telling him "All the best, I'll see you again".
Again and again, Sam would assure customers that he is looking for a new location. And when his relatives stood in for him to man the shop, the same words of concern could be heard being offered to them.
Again and again, Sam would assure customers that he is looking for a new location. And when his relatives stood in for him to man the shop, the same words of concern could be heard being offered to them.
It was clear that the magazine store occupied a small corner in Holland Village, but a big space in the hearts of many who've forged memories there. Several have shared stories, that they would while away the hours absorbed by the vast array of magazines, or use it as a landmark to meet friends.
Asked about next steps for Thambi Magazine Store, Sam said he would prefer not to share any details as nothing is confirmed as yet. But he knows what sort of place he wants.
"It's like a mama shop along the street. It should be in the open, with a walkway. It should not be in an air-conditioned place, otherwise the traditional part and the heritage part of it goes away."
"It's like a mama shop along the street. It should be in the open, with a walkway. It should not be in an air-conditioned place, otherwise the traditional part and the heritage part of it goes away."
Sunday was also the last time Sam and his family could gather at the store at the corner of Holland Road Shopping Centre.
While they would normally meet at a playground near their home on Sunday evening, Sam's nieces and nephews joined the rest of the family to spend one last evening together at the store which was a labour of love of their parents and grandparents.
While they would normally meet at a playground near their home on Sunday evening, Sam's nieces and nephews joined the rest of the family to spend one last evening together at the store which was a labour of love of their parents and grandparents.
Before Sam closed the shop here one last time, he kissed a framed newspaper cutout featuring his father, before turning to his wife, Mdm Senjula. Tears rolled down their cheeks. They shared a moment of silence.
Then they nodded at each other and with a hook, Sam rolled the shutters over the magazine racks, closing a little chapter in Singapore's history.
Then they nodded at each other and with a hook, Sam rolled the shutters over the magazine racks, closing a little chapter in Singapore's history.
Source: CNA/sf/ly
