Stamford Tyres’ Dawn Wee found healing in setting up an upscale thrift shop with a social mission
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Antique and furniture hunting at a tyre mart seems a rather strange proposition – the two aren’t exactly complementary businesses. Yet Dawn Wee, executive chairman of Stamford Tyres may have stumbled on something with The Discovery Shop, her charity-focused thrift store that “sells one-of-a-kind things collected from all over the world, exclusive items that have been donated, they are pre-loved, and in mint condition or slightly aged with patina.”
She has situated it on the expansive second floor of Stamford Tyres at Lok Yang Way, launching it in January 2025 when the company unveiled its revamped flagship tyre retail showroom and service centre that now has more modern facilities and ample parking to elevate the Stamford Tyre customer experience.
It helps that she has a captured audience. After all, when folks come in to get their tyres aligned and rotated or cars serviced, these jobs can easily take several hours. Where do you send them to wait? Upstairs to visit her upscale thrift shop. They can have some tea and browse. There’s no obligation to buy, but if they happen to do some antique shopping, those full proceeds go to helping the sick or underprivileged. Good deed done for the day.
It seems to be working out well. More people are returning, specifically for the thrifting.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The thing that immediately strikes you, as you enter The Discovery Shop: It’s a treasure trove of pre-loved collectibles and heirloom pieces, furniture and artwork, and home decor pieces. These items have been generously donated by Dawn, her late husband, Wee Kok Wah, and her friends.
“No one shops like me,” she chuckled. Those things that she’s collected over the years, now have greater purpose. Many pieces also come from her friends. Some are getting on in age and are looking to downsize their homes. Donating their dinnerware, collectibles and furnishings makes a lot of sense. It’s a much eco-friendlier option when things can be re-purposed and not discarded.
The curated selection is eclectic – you’ll find retro vintage furnishings but also traditional rosewood furniture and antique blackwood opium beds. Looking for a beautiful vase, an intricately carved privacy screen or an antique wedding basket (we spotted both Peranakan and Chinese styles)? Check, check and check. There are full sets of dinnerware, Lalique glassware and various silverware. There are quirky knick-knacks and novel trinkets from all over the world. There is also a small collection of bags for sale. We saw some beaded purses and minaudieres and even found a vintage Valentino leather document clutch on our second visit.
It is a maximalist’s dream, but it never gets overwhelming because everything is artfully displayed and styled to give you a better idea of how the items might look in a home. That’s done by one of Dawn’s besties, Chan Mei Lin. They’ve been friends for over 50 years, and she swings by regularly to help.
Mei is one of those friends who have generously donated items to the store, from her private collection. “In my old age, I always thought I’d have a stall at Portobello (market). But that didn’t happen, so this comes close,” she said with a laugh. By helping with The Discovery Shop, she still gets to appreciate the things she’s collected, although at times, she’s tempted to re-purchase the things she’s donated to the thrift shop.
