You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone*. The Thambi Magazine Store at Holland Village magazine store closed in May 2024 after 80 years. The popularity of the store and the sadness surrounding its closure are properly chronicled (with pictures of the last moments) in a 7 May 2024 Straits Times article. Six months after the closure, the space has been radically transformed. Two new businesses have taken over the space.
On a recent walk about the Holland V area we encountered the new businesses that have taken over the space once occupied by The Thambi Magazine Store. The shelves full of magazines which once lined the passageway were gone. In their place was a pristine corridor with new lights, fans and small cafe tables. A grand entrance opens up to an internal space shared by a cafe and a bedding shop.
MARVX Coffee Holland Village
The cafe at the former Holland Village Magazine space is MARVX Coffee. This is their second location, the first one being at Great World City. It is a handsome looking coffee bar with a fierce looking espresso machine. Seating is available at the small tables lined along the exterior.
Here is a picture of the MAVRX coffee menu. On the menu are some tea choices and the usual coffee options such as Espresso and Macchiato ($4.50 each), Long Black ($6.00), Latte and Flat White ($6.50 each), Cappuccino ($6.50). A limited selection of croissants and cakes are available to go with the drinks.
Sunday Bedding Holland Village
According to the Sunday Bedding website, they have a flagship store at Raffles City, Singapore. They focus on sourcing materials such as bamboo and linen, which strike a balance between functionality and sustainability. Apparently one of the founder’s family “has been in the home textile manufacturing industry for over three decades and all his life he’s always known great quality sheets”.
The collaboration between Sunday and MARVX certainly felt like a harmonious one. The environment in the shop was calm and soothing. The interior designer had done a great job in making this small and odd-shaped space feel so hospitable. The samples of linen and fabrics on display certainly felt luxurious.
A small bed mock-up was created to demo the bed linen. Everyone we spoke to at this space was friendly and kind. We did not buy anything on this visit, but will certainly want to check them out again.
*The lyrics of Yellow Taxi byJoni Michell came to mind when we first read about the impending closure of the beloved Holland Village magazine store.
“Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone …”
SUNDAY x MAVRX
211 Holland Ave, #01-K4 Holland Road Shopping Centre
Singapore 278967
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