a thousand tales

Amongst the flurry of construction and shop refurbishments along Haji Lane, I came across this yet to be open cafe (presumably), occupying one of the shophouses. Called A Thousand Tales, name is possibly a reference to 1001 Arabian Nights, given its location is right smack in the heart of the Arab district, but that's just a guess. Looking through the window, the room is filled with an assortment of mid century modern chairs scattered within a palette of bare concrete, white plaster and exposed brick. An open riser staircase is set to one side of the space. The single stringer leads the eye to the lightwell at the back, which allows natural light to filter through casting the space with a diffused glow and soft shadows. I can't remember what used to be here. Many of the shops that came (and gone) after the pioneers at Haji Lane after the street's rapid rise into Singapore's urban consciousness, lack charm and quirkiness. Perhaps it is not a lack but the quirkiness degenerating into a homogeneous mass of popular culture, a low brow Haji Lane feel (if i may make a casual stereotyping). This new cafe seems to mark a slight shift from the current Haji Lane mould. And as a sucker for mid century modern furniture and a supporter of indie cafes, I hope this place will turn out to be a credible cafe with great coffee and friendly people, not just a trendy passer-by.