A convenience store where you least expected found along Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Ipoh
I was walking to a cafe to meet a friend, the sun casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling streets of the city. It was one of those perfect days when everything seemed to fall into place. As I strolled along the busy sidewalk, I noticed a peculiar sight across the street. Nestled between two buildings was a stairwell that seemed to lead to nowhere. Curiosity piqued, I decided to make a detour and investigate.
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The moment I stepped inside, I was met with a surprising sight. What should have been a mundane stairwell had been transformed into a convenience store. The narrow space was just wide enough for a single person to navigate, and it was packed with daily necessities: water bottles, snacks, cigarettes, and more. What truly impressed me was the ingenious use of space and the creative reimagining of old furniture. Unusual uses of these pieces caught my attention. A shoe rack, repurposed as a product display, showcased items in a unique way. Old wooden furniture, weathered, had been combined to form a makeshift shop counter. It was a lesson in resourcefulness and sustainability.
A Customer looking for goods in the convenience store - Photograph by Aiman MJ
This experience taught me the value of appreciating what we have, regardless of its aesthetic appeal. In a tight space, every square meters counted, and it was optimized for both functionality and pragmatism. The store's design demonstrated that you don't always need the latest and most visually striking furnishings to create something remarkable. Sometimes, it's about making the most out of what's available and finding beauty in the simplicity of practicality. As I wandered through the store, I couldn't help but appreciate how the clever use of space and the incorporation of old furniture added to the store's utility. It served as a valuable lesson that in design and life, we can find functionality and significance in unexpected places, even in things that might appear aesthetically ordinary.
When I finally left with a bag of snacks, I carried with me not only my purchase but also a deeper appreciation for the creative use of space, the wisdom of repurposing what we have, and the importance of embracing simplicity over aesthetics when necessary. That day, I left with not just a snack but also a valuable lesson that would stay with me for years to come.
The Tangga Runcit is located in the new town of Ipoh, where it's situated in one of the old shophouse staircases along Jalan Leong Sin Nam. The convenience store is well hidden, tucked away behind new modern establishments in the area such as contemporary commercial shops like cafes (PBUY & Konda Kondi), boutiques (Fujiwara & MF Bundle), and the main highlight of the area, the Gerbang Malam, the small convenience store can only to be found when people take their time to explore the area itself.
LANDMARKS
1. Medan Selera Dato Tahwil Azar
2. Gerbang Malam
3. PBUY
4. Ipoh Downtown
5. Konda Kondi
6. Bangunan Wisma Maju Perak