The old Woodlands Town Centre, located just before the Woodlands Checkpoint, has almost everything you’ll ever need – textile to tailor shops, old-style hawker centres and various convenience stores. But these charming old-school shops will not remain for much longer. Nearly 200 businesses there have to close shop by 2016 as the area has been chosen to be redeveloped under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers). Second-year Mass Communication students Ken Lu, Sabrina Muhleseddin, M. Shanjayan, Yeo Jen Nie and Nur Atiqah Mustafa ventured to the area to immortalise scenes and people that will soon be a thing of the past.
Old School: The famous old Woodlands Cinema was owned by the Shaw Brothers. This building stand tall and proud as a symbol of the first concept of cineplexes that was introduced in Singapore by the brothers.(Photo: Sabrina Muhleseddin)Fruity Feeling: Bee Bee Fruit Trading offers a range of snacks that any Singaporean would recognize from their childhood. (Photo: Ken Lu)Stitching Up The Memories: With over 3 decades of experience, Ms Chong is an expert in the tailoring industry. The only disappointment her loyal customers will face is if she decides not to relocate when the building is due to close. (Photo: Sabrina Muhleseddin)Empty: Once a crowded metropolis of food, now the hawker centre is awaiting demolition. Photo: Sabrina Muhleseddin)Vintage Sign: Unlike the usual electronic signboards, Sim Guan Electrical Shop stuck to their traditional painted signboard, which signifies how long they have been around. Photo: Ken Lu)Phoney Business: Ah B, owner of Sim Guan electrical shop has sold everything from washing machines to phones in his 34 years of business, which makes leaving the premises all the more harder for him.(Photo: Sabrina Muhleseddin)Finest Choice: Spending several minutes choosing individual pieces that she wants, the customers are left to ensure the quality of their purchases. Apart from the satisfying quality of the goods, the friendly shop owners also plays a part in keeping their customers loyal to their shop.(Photo: Sabrina Muhleseddin)Time After Time: See Toi Watches has been around for 34 years, and one of the shop owners (right) is affectionately known as “Big Sister” among regular customers. (Photo: Ken Lu)Test of Time: For 32 years, See Toi Watches have been serving the community. Its owner, who is known as “Da Jie” says she will miss the place once it closes and it will be hard to adapt to a new place. (Photo: Ken Lu)
This is a photo essay done by second-year Diploma in Mass Communication students for a feature writing class assignment in January 2015.
