Mini box shops within a shop
Adapted from source: @qlo.sg
For the uninitiated, box shops are box “capsule” shops within a larger shop. That’s why shopping in one can be a disorientating experience – with the crazy variety of products stocked there, it feels like you’re browsing 30 shops instead of just one.
As a box shop regular, I’ve seen my fair share of mainstream phone cases and USB cables, but little did I know that there are other quirkier items waiting to be discovered. Here are 9 of our the most unique ones we’ve found:
1. Plastic Twin Lens Reflex Camera
If you thought retro film cameras were hipster, you haven’t heard of this DIY Twin Lens Reflex Camera ($25). You’ll need to assemble it with your bare hands and 2h of spare time, sans any glue or scissors!
Be prepared to spend more time than usual composing your shots though – the camera’s focus screen gives you a horizontally inverted image.
Adapted from source
But your struggles will be worth it once you’ve captured these #aesthetic images, complete with soft focus and double exposure as proof of your true hipsterness.
Get it at: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd, Gotomybox B1-30, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 10.30am to 10pm
Telephone: 91900406
2. Spork
Adapted from @kwamoyojonna
The Spork (from $3.95) is probably mankind’s greatest invention for lazy time-efficient people. A spoon, fork, and knife rolled into one, this combo magically reduces the amount of cutlery you’ll need to wash after meals. Its lightness and durability make it a great camping companion too.
Get it at: Orchard Gateway, 218 Orchard Rd, Toy Outpost B2-01, Singapore 238851
For full list of outlets, click here
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (break from 5pm – 6pm)
Telephone: 67026290
3. Fidget Cube
Source: @fidgetcube
Good news for habitual fidgeters – research has shown fidgeting improves focus and burns up to 350 calories/day. And that’s how the pocket-sized Fidget Cube ($16.90) came about.
With 6 different ways to fidget – including pressing clicker buttons, rolling tactile gear, and gliding a joystick – you’ve now got a legit reason to be playing with this cube of satisfaction instead of working on that dreaded report!
Get it at: Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria St, Toy Outpost #03-10B, Singapore 188021
For full list of outlets, click here
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
Telephone: 63330388
4. Rechargeable USB Lighter
We all know the pain of fighting strong winds to light a birthday candle, but that’ll soon be a problem of the past with this Rechargeable USB Lighter ($10). Just plug it into your laptop to charge, and within 2 hours, you’ll have a solid lighter on hand that’s wind resistant and never runs out of gas.
Get it at:
NEX Shopping Mall, 23 Serangoon Central, Da Cube #04-10, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10pm
JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, Da Cube #02-105/106, Singapore 609731
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
5. Phlat Ball
Take your frisbee/ball games up a notch with the Phlat Ball V2 ($29.90), a sports toy that morphs from a disc to a ball when thrown. The best part: its random time delay feature, which means you’ll never know exactly when the disc-to-ball transformation will occur.
Get it at: Orchard Gateway, 218 Orchard Rd, Toy Outpost B2-01, Singapore 238851
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (break from 5pm – 6pm)
Telephone: 67026290
6. Portable Microphone
Calling all karaoke addicts who burst into song at every opportune moment: show off your singing chops wherever, whenever with this portable microphone. Just plug it into your phone’s earphone jack, and you’re ready to go!
Get it at: *SCAPE Underground, 2 Orchard Link, MyBox #01-B09/10/10A/11/12, Singapore 237978
Opening Hours: 12nn – 9pm (Mon to Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri to Sun)
7. DIY Gudetama Pudding
The Gudetama lover in me was super intrigued by this DIY Gudetama Pudding ($10). Made in Popin Cookin style, all you’ll need – other than the already-provided pudding powders – are milk, a microwave, and a refrigerator.
Do it right, and your Gudetama will come out looking smooth, jiggly and way too cute to eat. We hear the yolk’s got a soft, chewy texture, while the egg white tastes like a sugary vanilla pudding.
Get it at:
*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, Box Street #02-11, Singapore 237978
Opening Hours: 12nn – 9pm
Telephone: 91846652
Tampines Mall, 4 Tampines Central 5, Box Street #04-05, Singapore 529510
Opening Hours:: 12nn – 9pm
Telephone: 91846652
8. Disposable Phone Charger
This one’s for the forgetful souls who always leave their powerbanks at home. qlo’s disposable phone chargers ($4.90) will save your phone’s battery life – and yours too.
Source: @qlo.sg
It packs an hour’s charge for a 30 – 40% battery power boost, meaning you’ll get up to 4h more juice. Best of all, it’s cordless, and compatible with BOTH Apple and Android phones! Just plug it in and you’re ready to go.
Get it at: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Cube Empire B1-19A Box 9032, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Telephone: 68357818
9. Army Gag Gifts
Source: @childrenholdingguns
A tongue-in-cheek compilation of all NS boys’ worst memories, these Army Notebooks ($6) will bring back recollections of the “no admin time” days and being shouted at to “wake up your idea”.
Source: @childrenholdingguns
Besides 40 lined pages, the notebooks also include a rank-to-position matching game and a signature practise for signing above the squiggliest of lines.
Source: @childrenholdingguns
The notebook’s not the only army gag gift on offer – there’s also the Tekan Dice ($10), which you can use to decide your friend’s fate after he’s lost a round of blackjack.
P.S.: it’s rigged. There are 5 punishment faces and only 1 immunity one, so he’s got an 80% chance of either knocking it down or signing extra.
Get it at: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Cube Empire #B1-19A, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm
Telephone: 68357818 / 82236330
Thinking inside the box
Box shops may look simple, but some stock pretty novel things that are difficult to find elsewhere. The next time you walk past one, go in and take your time to browse around – you might just find something interesting. And if you do, share it with us in the comments below!