The Marina Bay Shops is still a relatively new. It is connected to the Convention Center, Casino, and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (an ironic looking hotel captured in most pictures of Singapore). It is also the location of almost every high-end flagship store with Italian, French, English, and Japanese designers. The mix of flagships, casino, convention center, upscale hotel and Michelin star restaurants offers a proposition of glamour and sophistication.
As I walked through one of the many levels, there was a sign on a restaurant that formerly was written up in the papers; “Reopening Soon”. It was painted everywhere, so there was no question that the boarded up, single construction door entry place, was going through a renovation. My first thought started with its age, it was not that old! What happened to the original proposition? Did it fail? Did trendy trump quality while fashion and real interest moved on?
A friend who is also a tailor likes to remind me that good design never goes out of fashion. While trends do, a well-cut suit always looks good. The link with a relatively new restaurant that is undergoing a facelift was strong. As I extended the premise I wondered how far it would go. One writer captures the reaction of the masses; “Everyone cheering, ‘It’s worth it to play by the rules! God’s handing out trophies and tending the earth!’” (Psalm 58.11) Was it fashionable and trendy or genuine conviction?
The questions as I reflected further became endless. Am I willing to examine the proposition for all my purchases? Do I have the strength to examine the proposition I offer in my actions to those around me? It feels like trendy and fashionable is natural choice but I know this will change more often than it lasts.
It will be interesting to see how long the restaurant will remain under renovation. This could be code for a total makeover. It could be something as simple as a retrofit of equipment or a new owner’s vision. For them and for me, actions tell the answer.
