“According to my parents, it used to be cinema” — Netizen asks Singaporeans to share stories of certain places near Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE: Though it’s quite common to share stories about certain places on social media, a netizen recently did the opposite by sharing a photo of a building reportedly near Woodlands Checkpoint and asking other online users to share any stories they might have about the place.

A Reddit user gave Singaporeans the opportunity to share any stories about a certain place in Woodlands Checkpoint by starting an online thread on Reddit. The post, which came with a photo, brought back childhood memories to many who saw it.

Many Woodlanders said that the place used to be a cinema. “This place last time according to my parents used to be a cinema,” said one. “They used to watch movies together there. Woodlands Centre before it got torn down last time used to have a huge Sheng Siong, also had KFC, quite a lot of clothes/fabric/shoe shops, phone shops, hawker centre I remember had a stall selling grilled stingrays/seafood also. Last time used to visit on weekends to eat/shop, really miss the hawker centre here though I know now already moved to Woodlands Mall but it’s not really the same.”

“There was a cinema inside many many many years ago right?” shared another online user. “I remember my family taking a detour here because the jam to JB was so bad. We watched a movie together. Such fond memories – it was the only movie in a cinema that we watched together as my dad passed away shortly after.”

Others associated the photo with memories of fast food restaurants.

“Wow this was my childhood,” a third wrote. “I used to stay near the old si Ling primary area which wasn’t too far away. When I was little my dad would bring us to the McDonald’s. It was really huge with a garden and a pond. They even had a party room and a sizeable room with a carpeted slope and a playground area. Loved that place. There was also a KFC and every time I passed by I could smell the distinct chicken smell…(yum).

Another spoke of the place’s importance. “This is a very old cinema. (If I remember correctly) it’s been left vacant for at least 23 years. My only memory was that I went to watch Liang Popo when I was a young kid. Everything around has been demolished. But not this building and Woodlands Point. Hoping it gets to stay, does have some potential to be a heritage building.”

What’s your favourite memory in this place?

Any stories to shared about this place? @near Woodlands Checkpoint
by u/a_guy_into_SMG4 in singapore