On-site Feng Shui of a new cafe

[Cecil Lee]

After anaylzing the location with a Luopan.
The Flying Stars is plotted. And later, the proposed layout(s) are analyzed to determine the best layout - especially the position of the cashier's collection - point.
Other considerations include: specifications for the signage and other areas.

[Guest What about the shape?]

What about the shape of the store? Isn't it unsuitable for a business due to its triangular shape?

[Cecil Lee]

Part 1: These are some considerations:

1. One can still maximise and apply Feng Shui techniques. 

2. Have you been to many other coffee shops such as Starbucks and many other chains. Their designs also work around odd or irregular spaces.

2.1 In fact, to be honest: personally if I meet clients at coffee shops or cafes: often I will try to find a seat that is at a unique or or corner especially if it is on it’s own and furthest from any other tables for added privacy. 

2.2 If a cafe is rectangular in Shape; I often hoped that the tables are quite a distance apart. Else

2.3. If a cafe is rectangular in shape; often we may find ourselves surrounded with tables and chairs. Less privacy especially for me when we have to discuss...

3. There are so many of such outlets that were given no choice: Starbucks Waterpoint Punggol, Starbucks Hougang Mall etc.. 

4. Thus, for such an industry it is perfectly okay not to work within a perceived type of area.

[Cecil Lee]

Part 2: Common sense

1. A reason why regular retail shop preferably have a more rectangular shape is to deter or prevent shop-theft.

1.2 Here, the owners want to be able to control or be able to monitor their goods... 

3. Go check out MOS burger or many MacDonald outlets; they also take up sites that are equally irregular.

4. Thus in my opinion: how can one look at it and say: “One size fits all, matters?”

[Cecil Lee]

Part 4: Again this is not Feng Shui: The hidden benefit of such a plot of land

1. This irregular plot where the coffee shop sits has high density traffic.

2. Just imagine if this plot was rectangular: don’t you think that it would be open to more trades: thus may even push the rental higher?

3. Precisely because the shop is so irregular; less retail trades are less likely to bid on it and drive the price up! From 7-11 type of convenience stall to many other retail trade may compete to increase the rent!

4. Even larger coffee chains MAY also think twice to take up shop.

 

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

Part 5: Starbucks @ Gateway West and looking above Feng Shui

1. Starbucks at Gateway West has operated at this site for many years. Recently they are upgrading.

2. It is a triangle plot. So who says cannot have businesses from a triangle plot. 

3. Please don’t ever have a preconceived idea. 

4. And because of lower rental, higher chance of surviving. For such trades, what is the use of a rectangular plot with large rental costs and/or many trades eyeing it...

5. Lastly: Feng Shui is but just one of the many considerations, here.

 

 

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

The morale of the story is this “Don’t always believe what you read from textbooks + the notion of one size fits all”.

Furthermore, just because there is a stigma attached to triangle plots of land for homes; it does not mean that it applies across the board to all types of businesses, also.

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

I am at Valley Point Shopping Centre.

This cafe: Redhill 85 has an odd shape. It is found at the cul de sac of this Shopping Centre plus there are several triangular curves.

It has been around for many years already.

You can see clearly the curve or cul de sac:-

To the extreme left of this photo, this side of the premises has an angle:-

Even the ordering counter is curved at an angle; plus there is a beam:-

To the rear of the unit, it has several angles:-

 

[Cecil Lee]

Again at Valley Point, the cafe directly opposite Redhill 85 also can be found at the curve. It also has triangular interior features.

Did you notice the curve .. or cul de sac type of floor plan?

This cafe is called Fu Man Yuan

Did you notice the external curve as well as the angled rear of the unit. This implies that this is not a rectangular plot:-

[Cecil Lee]

Little farm’s cafe is along along this curve. It is a smaller area. Again it is nothing short of rectangular unit.

Instead, it also has a triangular profile.

Starbucks closer to the other side; the office lobby also has an odd shape:

Just this Valley Point alone has so many examples of odd shaped units.

And in my opinion; many cafes have taken up shop. Many of these shops have been in this Shopping Centre for many years already: Little Farm, Redhill 85 and Little Farms to name a few...

 

[Cecil Lee]

This is the profile of Valley Point Shopping Centre at River Valley

[Cecil Lee]

Whenever there is a supply for these triangle plots; there will always be a demand by retailers. 

Sometimes, because of such irregular plots; some landlords can even give a better rental rate. 

Rental is one of the two major fixed costs for a retail outlet. 

Small Businesses are better to survive with lower overheads. Then immediately killed by a hefty one...