Wee’s Collection: THe Business of Buying, Selling and Renting Memories in Singapore
There’s a well-known adage, “One man’s garbage is another man’s fortune.”
That quote suitably speaks to Mr David Wee and his interesting position as a vintage authority. The 34-year-old aficionado has been in the business for marginally over 20 years, and set up Wee’s Collection in 2012. He is persistently hoping to expand his effectively noteworthy assortment.
However, David isn’t only any customary vintage authority or aficionado; he is one of the uncommon rare sorts of people who effectively assists with protecting and advance Singapore’s rich legacy.
David’s modest two-story patio house along Changi Road is difficult to miss. In what appears to be a stuffed front yard with wooden furnishings and other strange knickknacks, lies a huge assortment of vintage things from the pre-pioneer days straight up to the 1970s.
You’d be excused on the off chance that you believed that this spot was a junkyard or a gallery. Yet, here at Wee’s Collection, David manages neither of the abovementioned. Rather, he purchases, sells and leases these pieces to those with the perceiving eye.
David was smiling from ear to ear when he welcomed me and had recently gotten back from a house visit. He regularly gets welcome to hotspot for likely plunder from individuals who are moving home or have things from their late family members that they need to discard. Now and again, he even voyages right to Malaysia.
Vintage things are progressively picking up ubiquity, particularly since everybody loves a touch of wistfulness. It might resemble a worthwhile exchange, however the stray pieces of maintaining this business is a long way from simple. There are a couple of critical qualities that one must have: sharp eyes, information and industriousness. Not overlooking, a ton of legwork.
“It was around 1997 when I was 14 years of age. There weren’t endless (things) in those days. I was more into it when I went full time in 2012, and began having more stuff. In any case, back then, it was me gathering stuff that I liked, stuff that I preferred.”
“At whatever point I go over these things, there is frequently something I can identify with. Things from my youth, things from my grandmother’s home. You know, some way or another, they ring a bell. When I saw individuals discarding them, I pondered, for what reason would they say they are discarding these nostalgic things? Along these lines, I chose to keep a couple of, you know, to recollect it. Also, from that point, it began gathering.”
Small’s assortment includes in excess of 2000 vintage memorabilia, for example, vivid tiffin transporters, old-school McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, old simple timekeepers, porcelain products, rotational dial telephones and other fascinating bric-a-brac.
“My father and I used to visit swap meets. Spots like swap meets in Sungei Road or Clarke Quay, even old fashioned stores, where we searched for inexpensively intriguing purchases.”
“One of the most nostalgic things is the main glass (cup) I gathered. It was a F&N Orange Crush. These glasses were utilized in the coffeehouses. It truly helped me to remember my youth during the ’80s. Along these lines, I thought, we should get it. From that point, one glass became ten glasses, etc.”
There is no uncertainty that specific things set off nostalgic incentive inside me and maybe it was likewise a direct result of how these things have some story that is simply holding on to be heard. To have a whiff of so much wistfulness congregated in one spot was genuinely an abnormal however lovely experience.
“I truly trust that the more youthful ages can value Singapore’s legacy. Despite the fact that we are a little nation, we have made some amazing progress. We have a major and rich history, and there is a ton of space for learning. Here and there, I don’t have to disclose the things to the youngsters. At times, the guardians do that.”
“Indeed, the grown-ups help recount the tales to the kids. Obviously, as and when I will likewise be there to share my insight. Now and again, individuals additionally come up to me and offer their encounters, which I believe is both significant and fascinating. As it were, it’s carrying on the country’s legacy, since, supposing that we don’t do this, the people in the future won’t know.”
Do take note of that visits to Wee’s Collection is carefully by means of arrangements just (no walk-ins permitted), so plan ahead of time and get a cut of wistfulness today!
Wee’s Collection
Facebook: Wee’s Collection
Website: Wee’s Collection
512 Changi Road, Singapore 419913
+65 9173 7915
Visiting fee: S$5 per person
It is recommended to call before visiting, contact the person in charge and make an appointment
Wee’s Collection: 512 Changi Road, Singapore 419913 | Tel: +65 9173 7915 | Email | Facebook
