WILLING TO SPLURGE
Meanwhile, another antique store, Treasure at Home, has also recorded a 40 per cent increase in sales of Singapore-related items over the past year.
Items such as coats of arms that were previously hung in government buildings, as well as posters and documents from the nation’s yesteryears, remain especially popular during the National Day period.
Ceramic cups that hawkers in the 1960s used to sell beverages in are also flying off the shelves.
“The vintage landscape in Singapore is actually growing,” said Mr Sadri Farick, owner of the family-run antique store in Tai Seng.
“Cafes are buying from us, museums, big corporations as well, and even people overseas.”
Mr Sadri said efforts to preserve heritage buildings and promote awareness of Singapore’s history through revamped museums have helped instil a deeper appreciation of the past.
He added that social media has also played a role in making historical information more accessible, allowing more people to learn and engage with it.
Mr Sadri said some collectors are willing to spend significantly on these items. Some enter the store with a budget of S$200 but end up leaving with over S$1,000 worth of purchases.
Even with the rise in sales, both stores said sourcing vintage and rare pieces remains a challenge, and that they will continue seeking out seniors who may still be holding on to treasured parts of Singapore’s history.
