Peace Center

Lunch this afternoon had been over at Isshin Machi at the mall right next to SOTA. 

And because there was no particular place we wanted to go, we decided to just head down towards Tekka and Little India instead.

To get to Little India from that mall (whatever its name is called these days) one has to pass by Parklane Shopping Center, and Peace Center. 

I've taken pictures of Peace Center several times before but no harm taking them again. :)

See, this place is one of those iconic shopping centers (now known as strata malls) that- from the moment you step through the glass doors- bring you back to the time when they were first built.

It's a very unique feeling. 

Some will call it a time warp. 

I however like to see it as vintage. 

Because, to me, that's what it is. 

Time does not stop here. 

But it does have spaces here and there that seem to hold time firmly in its grasp. 

Maybe that's what makes this place fascinating. 

Especially when you consider that it does take a determined amount of effort to keep the place functioning for tenants, customers, and people who walk in. 

Peace Center is a living, albeit quieter place. 

I won't say it's thriving but I won't say it's passe gone case either. 

The lifts work. 

So do the escalators. 

Sure, I may hesitate a little before using the toilets but hey the toilet work, the sink does not overflow and the taps still have running water. 

The thing that strikes me most about Peace Center is how it has successfully retained the feels of the 70s and 80s, albeit a little wear and tear of 40-plus over years.

As in, if you wanted to know how it was like to step into a shopping center or an office building during the 70s and 80s, Peace Center would be it. 

Every time I come here I wonder what sort of shops there were during those days.

What did the shops here use to be like?

What services did they offer?

What did they sell?

Were there salons and beauty parlours? 

Were there barbers?

Were there electronic shops and shoe shops and shops selling watches and leather goods?

Sometimes I'm quite tempted to ask the lady of this shop if she has any stories to tell, but paisei lar. 

She's running a business in men's shirts and suits, and I am neither a customer nor a potential one. 

Of course I could also ask the owner of the second hand book store, (where I might possibly get a book), but I'd be disturbing him and I don't fancy doing that either.

Moreover, it isnt' just the retail I'm interested in. 

There's also the crowd. 

Who were they?

What did they come here for? 

What were they dressed like? 

And, how often were they here?

I'd like to know if there were lots of shoppers.

I'd like to know if they used the lifts or the escalators or the stairs.

It would be cool to know if the ladies dropped in to the stores on weekends or after a day of work in the offices upstairs. 

Did they make an outing of it and come here with friends? 

Or did they come here on dates with their boyfriends and girlfriends? 

There're a zillion worth of questions one wants to ask. 

But you don't know from where (or who) those answers you should obtain.

Perhaps in due time there'll be a heritage gallery or something.  

Maybe the new developers will (like Golden Mile Center) have to keep the facade.

Maybe they don't. 

We don't know.

One thing for sure- they'll change the interiors.

Some things will have to go. 

But, until then, until that day comes, this is what we've got, this is what we used to have. 

And as of today, we still have the opportunity to know how Peace Center used to be.