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BookXcess unveils its latest retail experience at MyTOWN in Cheras

The bookstore chain’s 13th outlet is an ambitious design that’s sure to impress

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 10 Oct 2021 2:00PM

BookXcess unveils its latest retail experience at MyTOWN in Cheras — While the entrance is big enough on its own right, the interior of this BookXcess is downright cavernous. – Haikal Fernandez pic, October 10, 2021

by Haikal Fernandez

LOCATED in an ideal central location in the MyTOWN Shopping Centre in Cheras, KL, BookXcess’s newest outlet (also its 13th), offers a unique experience for shoppers hoping to make additions to their home libraries.

From the colourful entrance with its pop art, and the unique layout of the store, this bookstore really does stand out. – Haikal Fernandez pic

While it’s entrance is attention grabbing on its own merits, with a shelf of affordably priced trending books and a Ronald McDonald lookalike – seemingly ready to lob a couple burgers far afield – just walking a few steps into the store, it stands out against other outlets with its bright pop art dominating the walls, and walking a few steps further, it’s apparent the store is much bigger than first blush.

(L) Andrew Yap, founder of BookXcess, and (R) Geetha Nair, head of PR, give a briefing on the store next to a comedic tinged warning sign. – Haikal Fernandez pic

In terms of design, the location has a very modern exposed industrial look, with bare concrete walls, gravel-lined walkways (the handicapped be wary), with wiring and lighting fixtures all out in the open.

The avenues for walking are wide and there are foot stools aplenty in case you need to climb up and get a book you've been after. Staff will be there to help too. – Haikal Fernandez pic

There’s an openness to the design that complements the rows and rows of book-laden shelves, inviting shoppers to explore.

There are also a lot of unique elements that make the store pop, like the real bathtub filled with ‘bath books’, a functional piano for anyone curious enough to play, the aforementioned pop art, all of which are ‘Instagrammable’ for the social media conscious among us.

(Clockwise from upper L) The bathtub with bath books, the piano with a bust of Van Gogh, PR head Geetha Nair showing off an art space, and Andrew Warhol watching over the cookbook section. – Haikal Fernandez pic

In that regard, there is also an art gallery located near the store’s cafe, filled with art by local artists that are available for purchase.

The art gallery has dozens of paintings by local artists for sale. The plan is to periodically rotate in new art. – Haikal Fernandez pic

This location is 31,200 square feet in size, with more than 171,000 books and plenty of space in between. Notably this BookXcess is the first bookstore with two food outlets – namely cafe Whisk, which offers coffee and desserts, and Ume Tei, a Japanese restaurant with roots in Okinawa that offers set meals and noodle dishes.

(L) Cafe Whisk, and (R) Ume Tei, the in-house Japanese restaurant. – Haikal Fernandez pic

Martin Cross, Publishing Director for BookXcess, stresses that despite the rise of e-books, physical books are as popular as ever. In fact, e-book sales peaked six years or so ago. Books have also always been good gifts, imparting a personal touch from the buyer to the receiver.

Shelves and shelves of books as far as the eye can see. – Haikal Fernandez pic

Since launching in 2007, BookXcess has been able to build itself a reputation as the number one spot for affordable books (of every kind) in Malaysia. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021