Combining ‘temporary’ and ‘emporium’, Temporium is a not-so-new pop-up store along Dunlop Street that opened in the first week of September, and sees itself running til the end of February 2014. 4 units divided into a store, gallery and diner, Temporium has quite a number of big names behind it. The property is owned by Breezeway, while the concept, interior and general management is by Tofu; and the diner is a collaboration between Wild Rocket, Papa Palheta and Weekend Worker.
Store side, it houses only local brands such as Kae Hana, Max.Tan, Stolen, Do, WanderWonder and many more. With Christmas coming round, they’ve also cleverly pulled in Haystakt to bring in even more local products for the gifting season. Over the weekends of 14 & 15 Dec as well as 21 & 22 Dec, they will be having a maker’s market in the gallery space upstairs; where you can purchase and customise gifts for friends or family. With the general merchandise ranging from S$20 – S$400, as an estimate, it’s not bad for a one stop Christmas shopping spree if you’re into the local scene and brands. For myself, I have yet to really purchase anything from there, although I do have my sights set on those cute brooches from The Lorem Ipsum Store. Dibs!
Personally, I quite enjoy the coffee from the diner ‘Compl(e)ments Of’ whenever I’m there – can’t really complain when the baristas are from Chye Seng Huat. Food wise, I’ve only ever tried their November menu – a pork rice bowl, which was enjoyable. However, with only one dish per menu each month… choices can be limited, very limited; even when served in beautiful ceramic ware by Weekend Worker (which are for sale as well by the way, and are really gorgeous).
Previously, the gallery space was used for various exhibitions like a really fun and family friendly one by Pann Lim and his family called ‘Google Translating Tokyoto’ by Holycrap. I had a ton of fun having paper plane wars with Renn and Aira – amazingly creative kids. Temporium also holds a ton of craft sessions, such as paper pleating classes by Desinere, leather crafts by StoneForGold and terrarium making by Green Banana. Come January, you can even book private classes for these workshops.
Temporium is interesting because store, gallery and diner aside, it’s funnily enough, a great way to meet new people. Most people who end up at Temporium include many a lost traveller, the occasional backpacker, or locals who have read about Temporium somewhere and want to pay it a visit. It’s just a refreashing change of scenery along Dunlop Street in Little India with its neon green and white façade, and a pleasant alternative to chilling away a weekend afternoon.
Photos courtesy of Tofu
Temporium
72/74 Dunlop Street
Singapore 209400
65 6294 1139
Opening Hours:
Store & Gallery
Tue – Thu: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Fri & Sat: 10:30am – 8:00pm
Sun: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Diner
Tue – Thu & Sun: 9:30am – 8:00pm (Last order at 7:00pm)
Fri & Sat: 9:30am – 10:00pm (Last order at 9:00pm)
Closed every Mon
About Amy Lim
Having lived in Sydney for 4 years, Amy is currently on a quest to find the best coffee joint in Singapore to supply her with her necessary caffeine dosage, as she feels an 8 hour flight on daily basis is taking things a bit too far. When she is not on her quest, she enjoys the more mundane things in life like singing in the shower as she contemplates life, as well as fashion, photography, food, music and the occasional travelling.
