«The edge that we have at Dorbeetle is that we insist on our need to be pioneers for the voices from the West to local readers»
The start of Dorbeetle Store
When it was established in 2018, owner Tony Lee explains, «The beginning of the store was humble in both size and effort. That is how I would describe it. We had a variety of magazines that were being sold in store, but in contrast to what we offer now – mainly foreign magazines – were few in number». In contrast to when it was first launched five years prior, Dorbeetle has turned itself on its head by creating an offering like no other.
Unlike its contemporaries in the Hangzhou area, who are providing a variety of literary goods to the inhabitants surrounding them, Dorbeetle emphasizes the value of voice and the role it plays in society. When speaking of an establishment one simply has to look at the philosophies that were implanted in its infancy that continually allows it to exist.
Dorbeetle: expanding the locale
In the case of Dorbeetle, Lee shares that the philosophy of the store lies in being a pioneer to the readers in the locale. He shares, «We insist on having a curated selection of magazine reads. Periodicals, monthly publications, and independent zines grace our shelves. The edge that we have at Dorbeetle, however, is that we insist on our need to be pioneers for the voices from the West to local readers».
With this idea in motion, Dorbeetle is now a stockist for many global, independent periodicals like Cereal, Kinfolk, Pleasure Garden, and Lampoon Magazine. Managed by Lee and Noah, Lee’s partner and colleague, Lee explicates how his adoration for printed matter – specifically ones made internationally – was the foundation for the birth of Dorbeetle.
A magazine store for China: Dorbeetle
When queried on his background prior to formatting the concept magazine store, Lee shares, «Like the store, I too have experienced a lot of change over the years. What I do now is varied to what I used to partake in back then. I was an investment advisor». Over the span of six years, Lee poured his efforts into his role in investment and sought reprieve from his 9-to-5 in his collection of foreign books and magazines. Like many other readers like himself, Lee faced supply issues due to his being in China.
The conundrum that he faced is one shared by many other contemporaries and business owners alike. As a means to placate the stressors of his day-to-day life, Lee would acquire niche, foreign fashion, and lifestyle magazines while on holidays abroad to read back home. This, to Lee, was similar to collecting trinkets and souvenirs from his time on holiday for both himself, and his friends. Upon his return home, Lee would meet up with like-minded peers and discuss the contents of the magazines with them. «It was a hobby of ours and we talked about the content of the magazines and books. Once we were done with a particular magazine, we would switch it between ourselves. It was a good way to learn new things whilst strengthening our relationship».
This memory is one he regards closely to the fruition of Dorbeetle and how it came to actualize a realized physical space. Having once been a closed and private affair between friends, Dorbeetle was opened to the general public with a fleshed-out selection of magazines – some that included Western art books and magazines as well.
Dorbeetle: The meaning behind the name
The name of Lee’s concept magazine store – Dorbeetle – might come off as an enigma to the run-of-the-mill passerby. A Google search to the name of the store and one is presented with a plethora of pictures of beetles. The dorbeetle to be precise. The Chinese translation to ‘Dorbeetle’, Lee remarks, is Dadou – one that is derived from the distinct beetle native to Southeast Asia.
Enamored and entranced by the visual language the beetle presented to Lee when he first saw it, Lee sought to design an image based on the shape of the beetle. His being introduced to the dorbeetle just so happened to coincide with the formation of the concept magazine store that Lee was intent on bringing to life.
The naming of the store was done shortly after – where Lee remarks it to be an homage to the aesthetics and personal preference to how the critter had influenced his business venture. Months into formatting Dorbeetle in the Gongshu District, Lee, and his partner Noah, came to realize that there was a road that shared a similar name to their store in the city they inhabited. To this, Lee shares: «Our customers have a tendency to equate our store to the Dadou Road. The coincidence was hilarious, and the irony is that we are not that far away from the road». When it was first established as a physical space, Dorbeetle was known widely as ‘Dorbeetle Studio’ before it changed to Dorbeetle Store a couple of years into its business.
Dorbeetle as a creative design studio
Lee explains that Dorbeetle acted as a creative design studio that supplied creative direction and designs as a means for business. Once having sold phone cases, notebooks and tote bags on their online platform, Dorbeetle shifted its identity to Dorbeetle Store when Lee made the decision to shift their business offerings to magazines and books.
The owner explicates, honestly, on how Dorbeetle’s initial business offerings were underperforming. «Still wanting to manage the business, we shuttered down Dorbeetle Studio, and from here, we founded Dorbeetle Store. It was exciting. We allowed ourselves to find joy in making a business out of our hobby».
The name of ‘Dorbeetle Store’ came from Lee’s interaction with a customer who was willing to purchase a second-hand book from the owner.He shares, «I didn’t choose to center the business around being a bookstore as I had nurtured another hobby at the time – collecting antique utensils and ornaments from countries in Europe».
For a stretch of years, Dorbeetle functioned its business and existed through its online store. It was in the year 2021, a year into the pandemic, that the owner and his partner decided on establishing a physical space. Now, Dorbeetle supplies hundreds of magazines and books from international creators and publishers alike. Akin to a library, Lee emphasizes the wide variety of publications that he sells in Dorbeetle, stating that he proudly tells «customers that there is a read suitable for everyone».
Titles and genres. Catering to the demographic – Dorbeetle
When asked about the diversity and extensiveness of titles at Dorbeetle, Lee shares that to be proportionate to the publications available at hand for him to supply to his readers. He adds that it is undeniable that magazines can be categorized into their subsets of categories – art, design, fashion, photography, and culture, to name a few.
But it is due to their demand and popularity amongst crowds that allow him to curate a distinct selection of reads that made Dorbeetle stand out from its contemporaries. Over time, and over periods of contemplation, Lee made the decision to include works that center on stories of minorities, made by minorities. As an example of this, Lee added works by LGBTQIA+ creators.
Experimental projects from independent creators graced the shelves of Dorbeetle over time as well, alongside architectural practices, and works on typology and sociology. He shares, «We want our readers to know that we are not only diverse but intend on cultivating a diverse society through the magazines and books we sell».
Magazines are functional and to the point at Dorbeetle
Occupying the space next to their peer’s business – a coffee store – Lee explains that the store was made to open to customers even though the interior designs were incomplete. Designed by ‘Future Space’, an interior design studio managed by Lee’s peers.
Left under-decorated on purpose, displays for books and magazines are functional and to the point. Square and movable between shelves, vintage pieces are displayed alongside the literature. Within the same space of Dorbeetle is a boutique flower store owned by another one of Lee’s peers. Involved in the choosing process of the literature sold in Dorbeetle, Lee additionally receives recommendations from his customers.
Looking forward to adding more concept items to the list of offerings, Lee is looking forward to adding a silver stamping notepad to Dorbeetle’s series of concept items. Looking forward to expanding the Dorbeetle team, Lee is looking to represent Dorbeetle at UNFOLD2023 in Shanghai – an art book festival.
Dorbeetle Store
36-17-1, Fengdeng Street, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Founded by Tony Lee in 2018, Dorbeetle Store hosts international publications to China.
