Vibey Concept Stores For Truly One-Of-A-Kind Finds
For minimalists, maximalists, and everyone in between, these stores have all the aesthetics you’re looking for.
Is brick and mortar retail experiencing a revival in Singapore? Whether a fashion brand, restaurant or multi-label shop, more retailers are popping up across the island – and they're increasingly turning to 'vibes' to draw customers in. For those wondering, a concept store is a design-focused shop with a range of curated products that speak to a certain lifestyle and aesthetic – and that are usually not easily found elsewhere. Here are five of the newest to check out ASAP.
NPCC
The Grand Budapest Hotel much? Founded by creative agency, NPlusC, co-directors Nicole Wong, Clinton Leicester and Kent Phang began this concept store to provide a creative playground with no rules for their artists and creatives.
The lowdown: If you keep up with the local art scene, you might have already heard of NPCC. Founded by Singapore creative agency NPlusC, this concept store is a space for their creatives to do what they do best – create. The store’s name embodies its ethos – NPlusC, places, concepts, collaborations – a vision centred on reimagining everyday objects.
Each Objet at NPCC is "driven by passion, and above all, it should be a process we genuinely enjoy," says co-founder Leicester.
The finds: The store’s unique modus operandi features just one Objet at a time, ensuring every product becomes a moment in itself. The first, Objet 1, was a customisable lamp made from nine layered acrylic panels, each offering endless possibilities for design. With Objet 1’s run concluding in December 2024, the next Objet and concept are already under way, slated to be revealed early next year.
The vibe: As NPCC makes way for Objet 2, the store will undergo a complete revamp. Unveiling in January 2025, Objet 2 will also be showcased for six months until the next Objet is rolled out. Where the first storefront had an industrial, Wes Anderson-esque store vibe, the new layout will be something completely different. Until then, stay tuned for updates on their social media.
Location: 58 Joo Chiat Place
Where to find it: Instagram
LATE MORNING
Doesn't this look like a perfect dining setting for a late riser to slowly rouse with a cup of coffee and toast? Except this is actually a concept store's commercial space.
The lowdown: Founder Belinda Chen, who originally studied Maritime Trade at Nanyang Technical University, developed a passion for coffee cups and tableware. Frustrated by the difficulty of finding pieces that resonated with her in Singapore and preferring the tactile experience of discovering new items in person, she created Late Morning in 2024.
From Japanese ceramics store, Studio M', these porcelain pieces ($20-$80) from its Early Bird collection are hand-painted works of art. They're sets that make your breakfast (however early or late you take it) just a tad more whimsical and tranquil.
The finds: Now 28, Chen curates a selection of handmade tableware from global artisans, including Japanese ceramics studio Studio M’ and French label CARRON Paris, offering a personal, functional, and charming collection.
The vibe: In the bustling area of Chinatown, Late Morning truly embodies its name. Inspired by Chen's favourite time of the day (a late morning), the space feels warm and homely with cream walls and wood furniture and shelves. To really immerse yourself, you can even grab an iced coconut Americano ($7) or black coffee ($6) at the store's coffee bar.
Location: 230 South Bridge Road
Where to find it: Instagram
ROUND&ROUND
From matcha brewing sets, to ceremonial tea sets, Round&Round's curation offers tableware and figurines personally sourced by Deng during his travels. Each piece is handmade by artisans (from PhD design students, to a 90 year old ceramics master) from China, Japan and beyond.
The lowdown: Round&Round’s founder, Deng Chao, is an architectural designer formerly from Chengdu, China – he has always felt a deep love for artisanal crafts and the 32-year-old especially loves getting to know the artists behind each piece of handmade work.
Eventually, he began to crave the freedom of being creative and following his own artistic direction in his work. And so, he left his job at an architectural design firm and moved to Singapore in 2022 for a fresh start, and opened Round&Round at Pearl's Hill Terrace in March this year.
As each piece is hand made, collections are sold in small batches during limited periods. Meticulously crafted and designed by experienced craftsmen, each piece is basically a work of art.
The finds: : From glassware, to ceramics, everything is handmade and personally sourced by Deng. If you especially love tea and matcha, this store is perfect. Among its selection of mugs and figurines are tea sets, complete with artisanal tea cups and pots from China and Japan. For those in their matcha era, matcha brewing sets from Japanese makers are available too.
The vibe: Tranquil and and serene, Round&Round's space feels like an art gallery with each piece telling a story. Even its display shelves are imbued with history and meaning; some furniture were flown in from Yunnan, China, or date back to the 1940s and flown in from Japan. For tea fans, an outdoor tea tasting space is currently underway to open in January 2025 on Round&Round's outdoor patio.
Location: #01-46A Pearl's Hill Terrace, 195 Pearls Hill Terrace
Where to find them: Instagram
THE MONOCOT SHOP
The name Monocot is derived from the abbreviation of a botany species (the monocotyledon) whose floral petals bloom in multiples of three. Similarly, Monocot's design ethos is: Design, Natural Order, and Proportion and Practicality.
The lowdown: With a decade of experience in architectural and interior design, Mikael Teh, founder of interior design firm Monocot, created the Monocot Shop as a spin-off offering curated vintage kitchenware and lifestyle products.
Travelling is the essence of Teh's inspiration in his design work. His itinerary always included visiting flea markets and collecting various trinkets for his collection. At the Monocot Shop, its curation is sourced from all over the world, depending on Teh's travel destinations.
The finds: Born out of a collaboration with homegrown furniture powerhouse Grafunkt and a growing demand from clients, the shop features items from Teh’s extensive travels in Japan, Australia, and Denmark.
Each piece is handpicked for its design integrity, with a focus on items Teh personally believes in and would use in his own home. The shop’s collection includes everything from quirky lemon squeezers to room mists, perfect for design-conscious living. "Everything must be items that I believe in; things that I would use in my own home or specifically recommended to my clients at Monocot," Teh says.
The vibe: Occupying a cosy corner in furniture retailer Grafunkt's new Joo Chiat digs, the Monocot Store is filled to the brim with curated and vintage pieces. In addition to homeware, the store also carries stuffed animals, aromatic sets and canvas bags. It's like stepping into a candy store for lifestyle products, with a curation of trinkets and tools perfect for the home and kitchen.
Location: Grafunkt, 292 Joo Chiat Road
Where to find it: Instagram
CATALOG
After a trip to Thailand, friends Diana Yeo and Lee Wenxin were inspired to start their own concept store. "We thought about how great it would be to have a shop of self-designed and handmade one-of-a kind products, proudly made by Asia and beyond’s band of creatives," says Yeo.
The lowdown: Friends and co-founders Diana Yeo, 30, and Lee Wenxin, 27, long shared a love for concept stores, with Yeo’s architecture background and Lee’s obsession with stationery and trinkets. A trip to Thailand inspired them to leave the corporate grind and create Catalog, a playful concept store in Singapore. Surrounded by the vibrant colours of Bangkok's Daddy and Muscle Academy (a design fiend's dream) they decided to combine their passions for design and entrepreneurship.
Catalog has a curated selection from all over the region, from local clothing brand Wacky Wears, to Taiwanese jewellery maker Boring Earrings, creatives are personally chosen by Lee.
The finds: From stickers, to perfume balm keychains, to zines, this store is a Gen Z's dream. Their curation process is simple: what is the creator's character, individuality and craftsmanship like? The result is a bright, eclectic mix of trinkets and lifestyle products. If you have a bag that needs decorating, or simply love collecting cute tchotchkes, this is the store for you.
The vibe: Catalog is a playful, kitschy concept store that reimagines an office space with bright fluorescent lights and an industrial aesthetic, complete with a fake LED New York City skyline – it also doubles up a platform for creatives to express themselves and test the marketability of their products.
Location: #02-34A Golden Landmark Shopping Complex
Where to find it: Instagram