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THE SHOP · 27 OCT 2026

What it means to run a small specialist shop in Singapore

Singapore is full of big names. Malls with the same chains on every floor, flagship stores with glass fronts, staff who change every few months. A small specialist shop is a different thing entirely, and running one is a choice you make on purpose.

Puro Premium Cigars opened at Riverside Point in July 2024. We’re a small space on the second floor, a few minutes’ walk across the river from Clarke Quay MRT. Here’s what that looks like from behind the counter.

Small means personal

In a big store, you deal with whoever happens to be on shift. At Puro, you usually deal with Jerome. He handles most customer enquiries himself, whether it’s a question at the counter or a WhatsApp message at the end of the day.

That isn’t a marketing line. It’s simply how a small shop works. There’s no call centre and no ticket number. The person answering your question is the one who will still be here next month, and the month after that.

Specialist means knowing the trade

Jerome has been in the trade since 2013. He started on the wholesale side before spending years working directly with customers. Yin Lee, who manages the shop, brings six and a half years of industry experience of her own.

That experience matters more than shelf space. A specialist shop earns its place by answering the questions a general store can’t, honestly, and without pushing you towards something you don’t need.

Every visitor is different

Some people walk in knowing exactly what they want. Some are here on behalf of someone else. Some are completely new and a little unsure where to start.

We don’t have a script for any of them. We ask a few questions, listen, and take it from there. That’s the advantage of being small. We can take our time, and we’d rather you leave satisfied than leave quickly.

Growing the old-fashioned way

In Singapore, businesses like ours can’t advertise the usual way. There are no promotions, no online ads and no prices on this website. That’s the law, and we think it’s a fair one.

So we’ve grown the way small shops always have: through people. In just over two years, much of our business has come from referrals and regulars. People who came once, came back, and then brought a friend. Every one of those recommendations means more to us than any ad could.

Rules we take seriously

Running a specialist shop here comes with responsibility. We serve customers aged 21 and above only, and we may ask for proof of age. It’s nothing personal, just part of doing things properly.

Why Riverside Point

We chose Riverside Point because it’s central and easy to reach. Clarke Quay MRT is just across the river, buses stop nearby, and there’s parking in the building’s basement. It’s one of the liveliest parts of town, but step inside the shop and things slow down.

What it comes down to

Running a small specialist shop means showing up every day and doing the same things well: knowing the trade, being honest, and remembering the people who walk through the door.

If you’re around Clarke Quay, come and say hello. You’ll find us at 30 Merchant Road, #02-02 Riverside Point, open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 9pm. Questions before you visit? WhatsApp us on +65 9151 4702.