Journey to the east: The rise of the Joo Chiat and Katong bookstores

(Clockwise from left) City Book Room owner Tan Waln Chin, Chinese bookshop Sea Breeze Books, PinkPonk Comics co-owner George Chuang and Comic Grail Vault. PHOTOS: EUGENE GOH, LIM YAOHUI, ARIFFIN JAMAR, COMIC GRAIL VAULT
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SINGAPORE - It seems an unlikely location for a bookstore: a sleek apartment and office complex in the heart of Joo Chiat. But dial 0302 on the intercom, take the lift up to level three and you will find yourself in City Book Room's cosy new home.

The Chinese bookstore opened last Thursday after bidding farewell to North Bridge Centre, where it was at for six years.

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