First, indie bookstore Books Actually was in the red when they were not able to cough up enough rent to maintain their current space at hip Tiong Bahru; now café/book store The Pigeonhole is facing exactly the same problem. While Books Actually have managed to raise $16,000 to pay up the two-month deposit needed through a crowdfunding effort via Facebook through sales of books since, the guys at The Pigeonhole, Rayner Ang and Ave Chan, have decided to move out of their current space at Duxton Road. Instead, funds raised through their upcoming BENEFIT GIG—Please Keep The Pigeonhole Alive on December 21, will be directed towards setting up shop at a new venue—that is, if they manage to raise enough funds at all.
“Rental prices in Singapore—especially commercial rental prices in the CBD—have become very high in the past 20 years, especially considering there’s been no corresponding increase in salaries,” says Chan. “We’re happy to explore most areas as long as they are within budget and fairly accessible, though this certainly excludes the CBD. The east is close to our hearts, as is Little India.”
The benefit gig will feature performances by more than 10 local indie acts, including MUON, Pleasantry and These Brittle Bones, all who have waived performance fees for the events. There will also be artworks for sale, as well as literary readings by local writers and poets in an effort to raise sufficient funds for the new space.
“Apart from continuing with the open mic series, we hope to be able to continue hosting SG Tipsy Trivia, which is Singapore’s first and only pub quiz focusing on Singapore-themed trivia at the new space,” says Chan, “We’ll also be planning more NGO talks and networking events as well as community art events. If our fundraising target is met, all these—and many more good things—will be in the pipeline.
Our customers and friends have been overwhelmingly supportive, and we’re always thrilled to speak with walk-in customers who tell us how they love the place and how relaxed they feel. That’s exactly what we were going for.”
Do your part by going down to The Pigeonhole Benefit Gig and donating generously on December 21, 7:30pm. Log on to the The Pigeonhole Facebook page for updates on the event and the determined duo’s fight for a new space.
