Founded by friends Sarah and Siew, Small and Able is a cosy hidden gem snuggled within the confines of Peninsula Shopping Centre (just don’t make the mistake of going to Peninsula Plaza across the road, as we did).
The neat, white-walled space is filled with quirky, eclectic goods by designers mostly from Japan, as well as US, UK, Germany, Australia and Taiwan, plus their own in- house brand, Hey Kumo (it’s also the name of their blog, which they started in May 2012 to talk about everything from design projects to travel adventures and food discoveries).
A cheerful Siew greets you with a smile as you enter – she holds down the fort on weekdays while Sarah takes over on weekends – and freely answers any questions you might have about their products. Once named JOTTER JOTTER, the girls rebranded and opened their physical store in June this year; they still hawk their wares online, but not everything in the shop can be found on their website.
As for the name? It has a nice ring to it, as they’re a small shop selling able things, explains Siew. From vintage Japanese postcards ($4 each) to e+m’s wooden yoyos ($8), a knitted plant ($60) by Momshoo and Airvase by Torafu Architects ($20-$25) – a single sheet of paper that can be shaped to use as a bowl, a vase or even a gift wrapper – there’s a charming variety here, and most of the items serve a functional purpose. Plus, every adorable description was written by the girls on their typewriter. We especially love their unique Hey Kumo’s Weather Dance Club ($30-$65) – hand – painted stuffed lightning bolts and clouds – and their hand-sewn ‘You Just Wait and See!’ Good Vibe flag ($26).
Oh, and look out for their tiny reading corner with the Ong Lai Oracle, who offers wise fortune cookie-like words to anyone who’s interested. Benita Lee