It’s nice to know that reading books as a hobby is still very much alive. This was seen when people were confined inside their houses during the pandemic which spiked book sales and interest. But now that we’re all out ad about again, we can literally immerse ourselves in the world of books at the newly-opened Eslite Spectrum in Kuala Lumpur (KL).
Taiwan’s mega-bookstore chain, Eslite Spectrum, opened its doors to the public in the opulent Starhill shopping centre in Bukit Bintang. For those who don’t know, Eslite Spectrum is a cultural attraction that encourages creativity in literature, music, fashion, gastronomy, and more.
The store, which is split into three sections, will occupy all of the first floor’s 70,191 square feet, of which 40% will carry retail offerings like arts, crafts, and handmade goods. Meanwhile, 20% will be dedicated to food and beverage — because even bookworms need to eat! The remaining 33% of the store will be dedicated to books, the majority of which will be published in English, followed by books in Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, and other languages for children.
Here are five things to look forward to in the new store:
1. Arts and culture activities in its first month
Over 30 arts and cultural experiences await visitors in the first month. Special guests include Victor Wong, a famous Chinese singer; Chow Teck Seng, winner of the Singapore Literature Prize and Golden Point Award; Sen Kim Soon, a Malaysian poet and scholar currently resident in Taiwan; Hung-Tze, a prominent Taiwanese publisher; Betty Wu, a writer; Wei Ye, an influential entrepreneur; and Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Malaysia’s first astronaut.
2. A debut show in Malaysia by renowned Asian artist Jimmy Liao
Jimmy Liao’s first Malaysian exhibition, featuring 40 original paintings, three prints, and two huge sculptures will be on display at Eslite Spectrum until February 2023.
3. In-store cafes for coffee and reading for bibliophiles
Come True Coffee, established by three Taiwanese world champion baristas, offers a variety of speciality coffees, beverages, and food options. Meanwhile, the Espresso Bar, a branch of the famed Korean coffee company Bean Brothers, is set to open in here too. Amazing Italian espresso and latte art is also available to complement the brand’s trademark atmosphere. THE MESSENGERS by JWC, a Malaysian company that trains coffee workers and bartenders, will also deliver champion-level latte art on some drinks.
4. Over 1000 hand-selected items from Taiwan
Thousands of high-quality made-in-Taiwan products will be offered at Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur, all of which have been carefully chosen to display a distinctively local look and feel.
Lin Shiao Tung, a Taiwanese jeweller who designs honour pins for Golden Horse Award winners, is bringing his work to Malaysia for the first time. Along with this, the LSY line of professional beauty brushes is available for all of you makeup aficionados out there.
5. Grand opening Promos
Sign up as an Eslite member and spend an accumulated RM100 on a single day during the Grand Opening period (now until to 29 January 2023) for a chance to win a Kuala Lumpur-Taipei round-trip ticket with STARLUX Airlines, a one-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Suite and Club Executive Deluxe room, a one-night stay in the Junior Suite and Club Executive room of the JW Marriott Hotel, and RM1,000 worth of shopping.
You can also get 12% off any two books at the Eslite book fair and the Eslite children and thematic book fair ‘Prologue: Read’.
Address: 181, Bukit Bintang St, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
