We popped in to say goodbye to Robinsons, who will shut their doors after 160 years in Singapore.
Growing up, this department store was the place to shop: beautiful displays for fancy clothes, scintillating imported goods, and a toy department that very well could have been Santa’s workshop.
The Great Robinsons Sale was an annual event that saw lines snaking outside the store well before opening time. Loving Husband would brave the crowds and proudly return with our year’s supply of cotton buds (apparently the cheapest place to get them during the sale period), an occasional pillow and new bedlinen (which would have been too expensive without the slashed prices), and a surprise or two.
This past Sunday, we celebrated our 24th Anniversary with a run. Serendipitously outside the store towards the end of the our route, we decided we would go in to bid farewell at the last sale Robinsons would host. We left empty-handed and a little heavy-hearted.
Goodbye, Robinsons! Thank you for the memories.
This post is my contribution to One Word Sunday: History hosted by Debbie at TravelWithIntent.
All things bright and beautiful 
That’s too bad and sad ..we have visited Robinson’s many times over the years whenever we were in Singapore ..never came away empty handed
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Alison – so sorry for this late response. Just realised this morning that I lost a bunch of notifications.
Robinsons is truly an institution – we will miss it very much. You’re right though, we may go in with a couple of items on our list, but exit with far more!
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No problem ..the same happens to me too, it’s a nice surprise though when I see an unread comment
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160 years! Wow, that’s a lot of memories. Happy belated anniversary. 🙂
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Thanks so much Miriam!
Yes, it is a the exit of a landmark.
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Wishing you two a happy anniversary!
160 years is a long time to be in business. It is sad to see these places go.
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So many of these old department stores are closing down. Different days.
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I know, right? But if the smaller vendors are having a chance of survival, that would be good. But I don’t know, retail seems to be hit from all sides.
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Happy 24th anniversary to you both Ju-Lyn! 🤗💜🎉
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Thank you so much Xenia!
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You’re very welcome 🌺
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The end of an era. So sad.
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😭
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Was it a victim of Covid sales decrease?
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I think this was the trend already before this Covid problem arose – many big stores have been slowly closing through the years. The pandemic was perhaps the last straw?
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Yes, the escalated Covid push towards online shopping has been a shock but some companies were slow to move on this, it seems.
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I’m afraid so. Except that the trend was already there, so I guess the Old Divas had to reinvent themselves or risk what’s happening now.
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Sad to hear of Robinsons’ demise, end of an era!
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Sigh, I know, right?
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Many Department Stores have disappeared – truly the end of an era….
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Already the trend was there before this pandemic – it just seems to have accelerated.
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Yes..retail is changing fast
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I truly feel for the smaller shops & cafes. It is tough times for them.
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Sadly, it is
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It’s so sad when institutions that have survived so long disappear 🙁
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It is very sad. It takes with it many place memories.
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We’ve lost several department stores in recent years — they can’t compete with online shopping and the “pile ’em high, sell ’em cheap” stores.
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I guess it’s happening everywhere ….
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Ju-Lyn, what lovely memories of this grand old store … I feel the sad poignant farewell. So many have closed here in the U.K., like you say they are landmarks on our high streets and we will miss them for a long time. I wonder what will replace your Robinsons shop? Btw. I hope you had a lovely anniversary celebration! Next year the silver anniversary! 😀😀
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Thanks so much, Annika – each year together is very precious; appreciate your cheering for us!
I can’t imagine how you must feel with so many shops closing. We would have been in London by now and the thought of a bleaker landscape makes me feel sad. Oxford & Regent Streets are just around the corner from my aunt’s home, and I can’t imagine what they must be like now.
Nevertheless, I hope you will have as cheery a Christmas with your loved ones. Wishing you safe, healthy and merry.
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Forgive me, but what are cotton buds?
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Q-tips, cotton swabs.
Oh my goodness! I’d forgotten these go by a different name!
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Ah! Thanks. 🙂
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Aww, it’s really hard to bid farewell to places that has been part of our lives. I’m glad that you’re able to say good bye 💗
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Eeeks! So sorry this response is late! Realised today that some of my notifications were lost!
Saying good-bye is such an important process ….
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It’s okay. Sometimes there’s really problem in notifications.
I agree with that. Truly an important process.
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