8 Iconic Bookstores In Singapore That Have Closed

Iconic bookstores in Singapore

Plenty of bookstores have come and gone in Singapore, but only a few have withstood the test of time. There was once a time when Singapore’s literary retailer scene used to be more diverse, but the rise of e-readers and digital media has not been kind to physical bookstores. These days, we only have Kinokuniya for general literature, and of course, the queen of assessment books, Popular.

There are still plenty of niche bookstores today, but we’ll never forget some of these iconic bookstores in Singapore that have left their mark on our hearts.

1. Borders

Image adapted from: Borders Singapore, Leo Laksi’s Bangkok And Back

For those who remember, the large ground-floor shop area at Wheelock Place wasn’t always a Marks & Spencer. It was once home to Borders, whose presence was pretty much synonymous with the mall itself. Opening in Singapore in 1997, the bookstore had 2 outlets – one at Parkway Parade and another at Wheelock Place, although most probably remember the one at Wheelock Place as the mall’s main draw.

Practically a library, Borders was the best – immense and abundant with constant crowds browsing the shelves. They even had a reading corner at the children’s section for kids to indulge in their favourite books.

Sadly, it did not last, and many tears were shed when the last physical Borders store closed in Singapore in 2011, after 14 years of serving bookworms. Popular Holdings attempted to revive Borders with a store at Westgate back in 2013, but it was quickly rebranded into a standard Popular outlet after a few months.

Luckily, there’s still The Zall Bookstore at Wheelock Place, which carries Chinese-language titles and literature. It’s worth checking out and seeing if their selection tickles your fancy.

2. Times Bookstores

Image credit: Times Bookstores via Facebook

As one of the few remaining big bookstore chains in Singapore, Times Bookstores shuttered its last outlet in Singapore fairly recently in September 2024, wrapping up a 50-year run. It was owned by regional consumer group Fraser and Neave, and set up shop in 1978, boasting one of the biggest bookstore spaces in Singapore at 8,000 sqft in Centrepoint.

Over the years, the outlets across the island ceased operations one by one because of high rental costs, low foot traffic, and underwhelming sales numbers.

The closure of Times was yet another blow to bibliophiles, but you can still visit Times if you wish. There is 1 remaining outlet left in Macau at The Venetian Macao hotel and casino – hopefully, it doesn’t close just yet.

3. MPH

Image credit: MPH

MPH was founded way back in 1890 under the name Amelia Bishop Press, originally publishing Christian literature. As it expanded into secular works, the name evolved several times before becoming Methodist Publishing House and later, Malaysia Publishing House – eventually adopting the iconic MPH initialism we all know today.

Before the arrival of Borders and Kinokuniya, MPH was the go-to bookstore, dominating the market between the 1970s and 1990s. But like many of its peers, the last MPH outlet eventually closed in Singapore for good in 2019.

You’ll still be able to find several MPH bookstores in Malaysia, but nowhere near as many in their glory days. The company has since pivoted to online book retailing in order to stay relevant.

4. HARRIS

Image credit: HARRIS Bookstores Singapore via Facebook

Started in the 1960s as a venture by Popular Holdings to meet the growing demand for English books and content, HARRIS bookstore opened its first outlet in Hong Kong. It then opened in Singapore in 2006 and had 7 branches in its heyday. Selling books and stationery, the brand closed for good in 2012 after only 6 years.

If you didn’t get to catch HARRIS during their 6-year stint in Singapore or want to relive the nostalgia, visit their outlet at AEON Mall Tebrau City in JB. You’ll also find the Tsutaya Bookstore there, a renowned Japanese bookstore chain which recently opened its first outlet in JB. The branch comes complete with an in-store cafe, serving up coffee and cake for you to enjoy with your latest purchase.

5. Prologue

Image adapted from: Prologue

Yet another brand owned by Popular Holdings, Prologue opened in 2009 and differentiated itself as a chic alternative to its parent company. Spanning 2 levels in ION Orchard, it marketed itself as a lifestyle bookstore, featuring installation sculptures at the entrance. The branding was admittedly hip as well, with dark walls and conceptual art spaces placed strategically throughout the store. It even housed its own cafe, aptly named Epilogue, where you could enjoy a coffee while flipping through your latest book haul.

However, it eventually closed in 2013 due to low profit margins and not being able to garner a loyal following for the brand. That said, we’ll always remember the free bookmarks they handed out at the cashier – a memento to bring home after purchasing a new book.

6. BooksActually

Image credit: Julie S via TripAdvisor

Independent retailer BooksActually was the it-bookstore of Tiong Bahru when it first opened in 2005. At the time, it housed the largest collection of Singaporean literary publications, even carrying a multitude of out-of-print titles.

At the brick-and-mortar store, you could chat with staff about rare fiction novels and browse for some of the lesser-known reads. There was also a book vending machine right outside, where wrapped-up books waited for those daring enough to leave their next novel up to fate.

The shop had to close in 2020, but had a good run in its time, shining a spotlight on local literature and obscure works.

7. Page One

Image credit: Kay Ngee Tan Architects

Page One was a locally owned bookstore that made a splash with its huge 28,000 sqft flagship store in VivoCity, featuring unique and modern architectural finishes. It opened in 2006 and was the brand’s only store in Singapore. You could even find seasonal artworks and unique crafts readily available for purchase in the store back then.

Eventually, Page One’s business decision to close in 2012 and leave the Singaporean market was made due to large annual losses in the local market, with the owner citing high rental costs. It later reopened at The Cathay in 2017 with a new, budget-friendly business model, but unfortunately, it couldn’t make it work.

Page One still has outlets in China, where it continues to serve the larger Chinese market with multiple branches in Beijing.

8. Sunny Bookshop

Image credit: Books Avenue

Starting in 1985 at Far East Plaza, Sunny Bookshop operated for 30+ years and was a haven for bookworms on the hunt for inexpensive second-hand books. It carried over 30,000 books crammed into a 700 sqft store – plenty of options for you to buy and rent any book of your choosing for a cheap price.

The bookstore had a short stint in Plaza Singapura from 2010 to 2014 after relocating due to rising overheads, but was not able to sustain itself. There were whispers of finding a new owner, but there were no takers; it seems that, for now, Sunny Bookshop will remain a nostalgic memory for many of us.

Bookstores in Singapore from the past that have now closed

It was sad to say goodbye to all these iconic bookstores in Singapore, especially when there are only a few brick-and-mortar bookstores left. Kinokuniya and Popular are pretty much our last staples – let’s hope they’re here to stay.

More closed establishments in Singapore you might remember:

Cover image adapted from: Books Avenue, Josephine Mattia via Pinterest