Mr Periathambi Senthil Murugan, better known as Sam, was a marine engineering student in the 1990s when circumstances led him to take over the family-run Thambi Magazine Store.
He has since become the backbone of the business, which will see its last day of operation at Holland Road Shopping Centre on May 5.
The 49-year-old Singaporean, who is the elder of two siblings, initially resisted the idea of joining the family trade.
"Before all that, when I was younger, I wanted to run away...
from my father's business and live a life of my own somewhere else," Sam shared with The Sunday Times.
Despite his initial reluctance, he eventually embraced the role of running the store and found himself passionate about it soon after.
"It is very sad for me that I have to close the store after all this while," he lamented.
The eight-decade-old family business began as a newspaper distribution service started by his late grandfather, Mr P. Govindasamy, in the 1940s.
Sam made significant changes to the business after taking over from his father in the 1990s.
One notable move was displaying magazines openly on shelves along the walkway outside the store, inviting passers-by to browse.
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE NEW BERNABEU A REAL PROBLEM
Locals and neighbourhood residents hate noise from concerts and construction work
Japan seek to beat the heat and Saudi Arabia
HONG KONG - Japan face second-placed Saudi Arabia in Group C of Asia's third round of World Cup qualifiers in Jeddah on Oct 10, looking to continue their prolific start as top-of-the-table clashes take centre stage across the continent.
Police investigating Spanish pair over protests in S'pore
A Spanish man and woman in their 30s are assisting the police with investigations after photos appeared on social media of the man holding a banner in various parts of Singapore to protest against Singaporean business magnate Peter Lim, who owns Spanish top-tier football club Valencia.
FROM SAUDI SPLURGE TO SPENDING SLUMP
Football transfer outlay drops in 2024 as officials assess the commercial returns
Future looks bright for America's Cup: Ainslie
BARCELONA - Sailing has a great opportunity to develop as a sport if the America's Cup can involve more frequent events and evolve the boats now being raced, according to British skipper Ben Ainslie.
Sport can be 'solution multiplier' for climate
LONDON – Sports clubs and organisations must raise their game and become leaders in the battle to prevent catastrophic climate change, Sport England chairman Chris Boardman said on Oct 8.
SINNER TO BE GIVEN NO QUARTER
Medvedev vows to put up a better fight against world No. 1 in Shanghai last eight
Ryder Cup captains won't exclude LIV Golf players
NEW YORK - Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald said on Oct 8 that they will not shy away from including LIV Golf players in their respective teams for the 2025 biennial showdown between the United States and Europe.
MISTY SWIFT EARNS EVEN MORE FANS AT TRIALS
Ex-Kranji runner No More Delay also struts his stuff at hit-outs
MediShield Life can be made more effective. Its review holds the key
We must incentivise outpatient treatment and accept that, in some cases, personalised medicine can save lives.