Times are changing. Streaming services are more popular than movie theatres, while e-books are replacing physical, printed-and-bound titles. Ever-increasing rental and operating costs certainly don’t help. In an era where Epigram Books and Times Bookstores have closed their last surviving physical outlets – with the OG Kinokuniya at Takashimaya downsizing – one might say that starting anything literary-related in Singapore these days is a losing battle.
But some refuse to give up on the local book scene, and Maylin of the newly opened Eliko Picture Books & Collectibles is one of them who continues to hold this sense of idealism. She’s the owner of Singapore’s smallest bookshop, a 65-square-foot unit that’s quietly nestled within the bustling maze of Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre.
“Picture books delight. Why should kids have all the magic? We grown-ups need wonder too” – Eliko’s ethos is clear, and you’ll find that plastered on hand-drawn cardboard signage right under the store’s name plaque, also similarly created using cardboard and markers. If you haven’t already guessed, the unexpected book nook solely specialises in vintage and out-of-print children’s picture books, which people of all ages are encouraged to enjoy.
Catch an hour-long break by thumbing through Eliko’s carefully curated titles for just $8, with a free cup of coffee included. Alternatively, tell Maylin a story, and your reading fee will get waived. It’s that simple – the premise here is all about sharing stories and nurturing an appreciation of printed treasures. There’s also a collection of rare trinkets on the shelves up for sale: a hodgepodge of art pieces, old toys, and other bits and bobs.
Currently, Eliko does not have a Google Maps listing; however, it’s located at unit #01-079 of Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street. If all else fails, check out a helpful wayfinding video here, and refer to the pinned post on @eliko.sg on Instagram for weekly opening hours.
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