Cultural and commercial institution, Universal studio celebrated its 60th birthday on January 18 by opening, a few days ahead, Chinese New Year Festivities 2025.
The year of the wooden snake opens on January 29. A year of renewal and growth is coming, learned the mixed crowd of curious people and faithful of the famous Dionysian store of Asian articles which paid homage, by his loud applause, to the Fock Sun family, and particularly to the founder of Studio Universal, Marcel Fock Sun. Good foot good eye, at 85 years old, he did not hesitate to play the drum and start the Lion dance with the Qi-Lin troupe. The Cultural Association of the Chinese of Reunion mobilized to give this anniversary the brilliance of cymbals and drums which chase away evil spirits. A Chinese “Ali Baba’s Cave”, a dive in Asia without leaving Saint-Denis, but also a pioneering point of sale in terms of home decoration : such has been and such remains, at the corner of Juliette-Dodu and Alexis-de-Villeneuve streets, Studio Universal, who has managed to cultivate the magic of commerce intact until today.
An essential address
Founded in 1955 by Marcel (professional photographer) and Rolande Fock Sun, Studio Universal was first “a photo studio”, in which some souvenir items imported from China were offered. Gradually, the concept has expanded, enriching its offering and attracting an ever-increasing clientele. First installed on rue Alexis-de-Villeneuve, the store moved to its current location in 1984, still in the heart of Saint-Denis, rue Juliette-Dodu, in order to respond to this continued growth. Over the years, Studio Universal has established itself as an essential address, diversifying its choices and meeting the expectations of a varied clientele.
Tradition and modernity
With the arrival of Walter and Loïc Fock Sun, the new generation, in command, a touch of modernity has been added while respecting the original spirit and soul of the store. Today, Studio Universal offers a rigorous selection of products from around the world, which continues to take its customers on a journey thanks to original and authentic items : with countless memories, trinkets, stationery, decorative items, ranges for the home have been added, especially glassware and porcelain, as well as clothing. Among the brands present, we find historic brands that bear French know-how, such as Terre d’Oc, Fer à Cheval soap factory, Maison Bremond and many others. This diversity combined with decades of commercial know-how makes Studio Universal a true Reunion institution., at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. The journey, as evidenced by the renewed and composite clientele who cross the threshold of Studio Universal, continue.
