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Vogue Singapore
03-07-2025
- Business
- Vogue Singapore
As Singapore's F&B businesses shutter, what is left in their wake?
Heidi Tan was 21 years old when she decided to open her own patisserie. 'When you start so young, you don't have as much fear because you haven't tasted failure yet,' the Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef says with a laugh. 'I would say that starting a business is fairly easy. But sustaining a business'—she pauses, her tone turning pensive—'that is the difficult part.' Tan opened Flor Patisserie's first outlet on Duxton Hill in 2010, before the area became a magnet for the hip restaurants that line its streets today. 'There was no other Japanese patisserie in Singapore back then,' she confirms. 'We were the leader in this category, which put us in a very good spot.' The patisserie quickly gained a dedicated fan following for its intricate Japanese-inspired French pastries and cakes, always made fresh and with the highest-quality ingredients available. With the help of a small but growing team, Tan expanded the business's footprint across Singapore, from kiosks in high-traffic malls like Ngee Ann City and Funan to a storefront on East Coast Road. Flor Patisserie's Duxton Hill outlet, which closed in 2024 after 14 years of operation. @flor_patisserie Today, the brand operates from a single outlet in a stretch of quaint shophouses on Siglap Drive, where it has been for 12 years. Located in a largely residential area with veterinary clinics and tuition centres as its neighbours, the cake shop has become a beloved community fixture which draws customers from all corners of the island—a winning example of Singapore's fervent food culture. That is, until July this year. Facing an unsustainable rent hike (a proposed increase in the monthly rent from $5,400 to $8,500, a 57 percent rise), Tan has made the difficult decision to close Flor Patisserie's final outlet. 'It was the pandemic that opened my eyes to how unsustainable running a brick-and-mortar business is in Singapore. Even big chains find it difficult to survive—so what more small, independent businesses, which don't have economies of scale to rely on?' Tan reflects, pointing to global chains like Hai Di Lao and Burger & Lobster, among others, which have shuttered in the past year. To survive the sluggish markets brought on by COVID-19, Tan had made the decision to close Flor Patisserie's higher-rent units in Duxton and East Coast, instead consolidating her resources into her Siglap Drive outlet. 'When we closed all the other shops at the height of the pandemic and retreated to this one, I did my calculations and told my team that the next two years were going to be hard. I wouldn't be able to give them their annual increment. But they understood completely,' Tan shares, her eyes welling up with tears. 'That's why I'm very sad to have to let them go now. Because they stood by me still.' Singapore's dining scene is headed in a troubling direction: flattened and faceless, rather than a true reflection of the country's character. For Tan's business to survive, a 57 percent hike in rent would require her to pass on a bulk of the cost to her customers—something she's reluctant to do. 'I will need to increase my prices at least by 30 percent,' she explains. 'This will completely alienate my patrons. 'We lost many customers when we closed our other outlets because it was a hassle to travel here. Our location is not the best as it has very little parking available and is 20 minutes from the nearest MRT station. We foresaw that drop in sales and planned for it—but now, with the rent increase, it just doesn't make sense.' The recent cascade of homegrown restaurants, bars and cafes shuttering across the island signals that Singapore's culinary landscape is headed in a troubling direction: flattened and faceless, rather than a true reflection of the country's character and the melange of identities that exist within it. This move towards becoming a hyper-globalised destination dominated by universal name-brands begs the question: what do we stand to lose when local businesses cannot survive? 'It is the small, independent business that adds vibrancy to the market,' Tan says. 'Local brands represent what the Singaporean identity truly is. As more big international businesses replace the small guys, the landscape will inevitably become sterile and cookie-cutter.' If this is Flor Patisserie's final chapter, what Tan finds the hardest to say goodbye to are the loyal patrons she has served time and time again, seeing them through numerous milestones. 'We have customers who started dating, then got married, then had children. And we've made the cakes for them to celebrate each occasion,' she says, emotion clouding her voice. 'That's what disappoints me the most about having to close—the community that has kept us going all these years and that we will no longer get to serve.' Hazel Long, Junior the Pocket Bar Hazel Long fell into bartending by accident. 'People don't believe me when I say this, but when I entered the industry, I didn't drink. I was looking to earn extra pocket money while in university and knew nothing about being a bartender,' she says. Today, the 30-year-old helms Junior the Pocket Bar, a speakeasy on Ann Siang Hill known for attracting a stylish, insider crowd. In Long's words, Junior became a cult favourite not because of size but soul. The bar rotates between a diverse Rolodex of concepts, from New Orleans jazz to Korea's Joseon dynasty, with a full remodel—from decor to cocktail list—accompanying each new theme, making the experience exceptionally immersive. Junior the Pocket Bar. Courtesy of Junior The Pocket Bar When Long announced Junior's seemingly abrupt closure earlier this year, messages of grief and support poured in from across the industry. 'If I could have kept us open, I would have,' she muses. 'The truth is that I had reached a point beyond burnout. With constant inflation, it became unsustainable to keep going.' Long had originally started running Junior with a partner, who left the business during COVID-19. 'The pandemic was challenging. Almost every day, we had to navigate new guidelines in order to stay open while keeping our patrons safe. But I took on ownership because I wanted to keep the spirit of Junior alive and also take care of my team.' It was ultimately the long-term effects of the pandemic, rather than its most immediate challenges, that took the largest toll on the business. 'Pandemic lockdowns fundamentally shifted Singapore's cocktail culture. As people got accustomed to staying home, the desire to spend nights out also seemed to dwindle,' Long reflects. 'Before COVID-19, it was normal for a pair of guests to have five drinks between them in two hours. These days, it's often just one each. That loss adds up, especially in a space where every seat is precious real estate.' Long points to this drop in spending, combined with inflationary pressures across the board, as the key reasons that running the business became unsustainable. 'When eggs cost more at FairPrice, it's the same for bars. We don't get a special wholesale deal,' she says. 'Everything goes up.' With the growing graveyard of independent businesses shuttering one after another, a culture of fear has begun to take hold of Singapore's F&B industry. Rising costs have led to a steady creep in cocktail prices not only at Junior, but the majority of bars across Singapore. While Long sympathises with customers balking at the nightlife experience increasingly becoming more expensive, she explains that what may look like inflated pricing is often the only way a business can survive. 'There is this conception that bars pour some liquid into a fancy glass and slap a price tag on it at random. Understandably, some patrons don't know what a $28 cocktail actually entails. They don't see the 48 hours of prep that goes behind an infusion or the technique involved in manipulating it until it turns into gold. At a place like Junior, you are also paying for the venue, lighting and trained staff, which all come together to create that curated experience,' Long says. Beyond the loss of a beloved presence in the cocktail community, Junior's closure is also symptomatic of a larger problem: the steady erosion of individuality in our nightlife scene. 'If this keeps going and more independent businesses close, Singapore risks losing its edge and falling off as a nightlife destination,' Long warns. 'We rely heavily on tourism and on places like ours, not just chains.' With the growing graveyard of independent businesses shuttering one after another, she agrees that a culture of fear has begun to take hold of Singapore's F&B industry. This could turn promising talent away from joining the field, worsening the problem further. 'Right now, I'm just trying to grieve properly,' Long says. 'It's easy to feel like you have to move on quickly or find the next thing. But I gave everything I had to Junior. I need time to reckon with that loss.' She's not sure what comes next, but she's not ruling out a return. 'I still love the bar world,' she says with a smile. 'I just need to miss it a little first.' Vogue Singapore's July/August 'Home' issue will be out on newsstands from 13 July and available to preorder online.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- CTV News
Have you seen this man? Suspect ID'd in Mother's Day thefts in Richmond
Videos posted to the Neighbours of Richmond TikTok account show a suspect in a series of Mother's Day thefts. (TikTok/neighboursofrichmond) Weeks after a series of thefts that took place on and around Mother's Day in Richmond, B.C., authorities have identified a suspect. Joseph David Michael Landry is believed to be responsible for three thefts reported in the city's downtown core between May 7 and May 11, Richmond RCMP said Monday. Landry is charged with 10 criminal offences in connection to those incidents, plus four additional counts dating back to July 2024 – but authorities are still working to locate and arrest him. Richmond RCMP asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward. Cpl. Adriana O'Malley confirmed the thefts include one highlighted in surveillance videos posted to the Neighbours of Richmond TikTok account last month. The videos show a man in a red hat peering into vehicle windows in a parking lot, then shattered glass falling onto the ground. The post indicates the surveillance videos were captured on Mother's Day in the parking lot of Hai Di Lao restaurant. 'The incident caused significant emotional distress and financial loss to families gathered for what (was) meant to be a joyful occasion,' the TikTok caption reads. In a news release, Richmond RCMP acknowledged that these types of posts can help generate 'public interest' in crimes – but said it's important for anyone with information on thefts or other incidents to reach out to authorities directly. 'We appreciate the community's vigilance in sharing information. Timely reporting and providing all evidence directly to police is essential as it allows our officers to gather the necessary evidence to properly identify the suspect and secure charges,' said O'Malley, in a statement. 'In this case, a suspect has been formally charged and efforts to locate and arrest him are ongoing. We encourage anyone with credible information on the suspect's whereabouts to contact us directly in order to ensure a safe and informed response.' The charges approved against Landry include theft, mischief and breaching court orders, the RCMP said.
Online Citizen
26-04-2025
- Online Citizen
Hamster Society Singapore calls out Edward Chia over childhood hamster breeding story in election campaign
SINGAPORE: Hamster Society Singapore has called out Edward Chia, a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in the General Election 2025, over a childhood anecdote in which he bred and sold hamsters at the age of 10. According to the group, Chia's story was printed and circulated in a public flyer on 25 April as part of his campaign material. The flyer described the start of his 'entrepreneurial journey' as breeding hamsters and selling them to pet shops for S$3 each, claiming this experience sparked 'his lifelong passion for creating value.' However, Hamster Society Singapore strongly disagreed with the framing of this anecdote. 'It's not something to celebrate,' the group said. 'It's something we need to talk about.' 'It's Not Only Illegal, but Irresponsible' The organisation stressed that unlicensed breeding and selling of pets is illegal in Singapore and described Chia's actions as 'irresponsible.' 'Animals are not products. Whether it's hamsters, dogs, cats, or rabbits—lives should never be reduced to dollar signs. Breeding without a licence isn't just illegal. It's irresponsible,' the group stated. Under the Animals and Birds (Licensing of Premises for Pet Shop and other Purposes) Rules, a valid licence is required to breed animals for commercial purposes. They added that the society frequently rescues hamsters abandoned in dire conditions, many of which suffer from tumours, cancer, or severe neglect—often due to irresponsible breeding practices where animals are sold without proper screening and later discarded. In a subsequent post, the group detailed the grim realities they have encountered from hoarding and backyard breeding cases, including hamsters packed in filthy plastic boxes covered in their own waste, mothers forced to breed continuously with their babies dead beside them, untreated cancerous tumours the size of their heads, missing limbs, rotting skin, and eyes either falling out or sealed shut with pus. Some rescues were found in rubbish bins, shoeboxes, food containers, and even a Hai Di Lao paper bag. 'Entrepreneurship is important, but compassion and responsibility must come first, especially when lives are involved,' the group emphasised. They urged voters to reflect on the values of candidates they choose to support. 'With polling day just around the corner, let's be more thoughtful about the people we vote for. Should we be reinforcing outdated mindsets? Or should we be shaping a future that values compassion, ethics, and accountability?' The group also noted that the hamster-breeding anecdote had appeared on Chia's official PAP website profile, suggesting it had been intentionally included. However, as of the time of writing, the anecdote has been removed. Chia, 41, is the co-founder of the Timbre Group and entered politics in 2020 as part of the victorious PAP team contesting Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. He has served as the MP for the Zhenghua ward over the past five years. In GE2025, he is again standing in the same GRC alongside Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Senior Minister of State Sim Ann, and Deputy Speaker Christopher de Souza. It Sends the Wrong Message, Says Hamster Society Singapore The Facebook post by Hamster Society Singapore received mixed reactions from netizens. While some criticised Chia's past actions, many others excused them, arguing that he was only ten years old at the time—a child. Hamster Society acknowledged that the incident happened long ago but maintained that romanticising such acts—and presenting them as entrepreneurial inspiration during an election—is not appropriate. 'Sharing a story about unlicensed breeding as something admirable in 2025, through official platforms, sends the wrong message about how animals should be treated,' the group said. One user accused Hamster Society Singapore of running a smear campaign. In response, the organisation clarified, 'We're simply pointing out why promoting backyard breeding, even as a childhood story, sends the wrong message in 2025.' Chia responds, saying that he will support Hamster Society Singapore Following the post gaining prominent attention, Chia said in a Facebook post that he had a good conversation with the Hamster Society of Singapore regarding his childhood anecdote. Acknowledging their concerns that his story might inadvertently encourage hamster breeding, Chia added that he would look for opportunities to support the society's work in the future. Netizens Challenge the Justification Despite some defending Chia, others pushed back strongly against that view. They questioned whether a ten-year-old should be given a free pass to do whatever they want. One user pointed out that while Chia may have been 10 when he did it, he is 41 now—and still boasting about it. One commenter argued that since Chia is a public figure, any statements he makes will be publicly accessible and widely read. They questioned whether such a story is truly worth celebrating, especially when it is portrayed as a stepping stone to starting a business. 'Is this equivalent to encouraging people to learn from him and start backyard breeding?' the user asked. Others warned that the message could encourage young people to replicate the same behaviour. 'Children may start breeding their hamsters and selling them as their first foray into entrepreneurship,' one noted. Another user expressed dismay at the number of people justifying Chia's actions solely based on his age at the time. 'It is unethical and unacceptable no matter the age,' the user said. They added that there is no need to justify such actions on behalf of others.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Woman woke to find PhD student raping her
A man accused of multiple rapes attacked a woman as she fell in and out of consciousness, a court has heard. Zhenhao Zou, a 27-year-old Chinese national who was studying in the UK, denies 11 counts of rape as well as three counts of voyeurism, 12 of possession of an extreme pornographic image and one of false imprisonment. Earlier, Inner London Crown Court saw a police interview where the complainant alleged she was raped. During the interview she said that Mr Zou told her afterwards: "I thought you were conscious. I thought you knew what you were doing." The jury was also told the alleged victim would give evidence via a video link from China on Monday morning. The woman said she had originally met Mr Zou at a friend's dinner party in September 2021. That night she had consensual sex with him in his room that was in a shared house. About a month later she arranged a night out for her birthday, she said. She and a group of friends went to a hotpot restaurant in Chinatown called Hai Di Lao. The woman invited Mr Zou, who she knew as Pakho, to come along. She said that afterwards the group went and drank Jack Daniel's whiskey at a nearby restaurant for four or five hours. At the end of the evening she remembered vomiting on a street nearby. She remembered nothing after that until she woke up to find Mr Zou having sex with her, the court heard. The woman said she told him "no" but then lapsed into unconsciousness. She left his student flat at 07:00 the next morning, jurors were told. Later she messaged him on WeChat, a Chinese online platform, the court heard. "I questioned him 'how could you do that to me?'", she told the police. "And he answered 'I thought you were conscious. I thought you knew what you were doing'. She added: "But I am quite sure that at that time I did not allow him to have sex with me because I was feeling miserable. I was drunk." The alleged victim said she was still very drunk when she left the next morning. She said that months later she saw that another Chinese woman had posted a message on the social media app Red Book with a picture of Mr Zou saying he had had sex with her when she was drunk. The other woman had posted that he was a PhD student who wore a green Rolex watch. The alleged victim contacted this woman, who then put her in touch with the police. Zhenhao Zou is standing trial charged with raping two women. Two of them have been identified by the police, but the identity of the other eight alleged victims is unknown. In addition to the multiple rape charges, Mr Zou also denies eight counts of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply. The trial continues. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to HM Courts & Tribunals Service
BBC News
07-02-2025
- BBC News
Zhenhao Zou: Woman woke to being raped by PhD student, court told
A man accused of multiple rapes attacked a woman as she fell in and out of consciousness, a court has Zou, a 27-year-old Chinese national who was studying in the UK, denies 11 counts of rape as well as three counts of voyeurism, 12 of possession of an extreme pornographic image and one of false Inner London Crown Court saw a police interview where the complainant described being the interview she said that Mr Zou told her afterwards: "I thought you were conscious. I thought you knew what you were doing." The jury was also told the alleged victim would give evidence via a video link from China on Monday morning. The woman said she had originally met Mr Zou at a friend's dinner party in September 2021. That night she had consensual sex with him in his room that was in a shared a month later she arranged a night out for her birthday, she said. She and a group of friends went to a hotpot restaurant in Chinatown called Hai Di Lao. The woman invited Mr Zou, who she knew as Pakho, to come along. She said that afterwards the group went and drank Jack Daniel's whiskey at a nearby restaurant for four or five the end of the evening she remembered vomiting on a street nearby. 'How could you?' She remembered nothing after that until she woke up to find Mr Zou having sex with her, the court heard. The woman said she told him "no" but then lapsed into unconsciousness. She left his student flat at 07:00 the next morning, jurors were she messaged him on WeChat, a Chinese online platform, the court heard."I questioned him 'how could you do that to me?'", she told the police."And he answered 'I thought you were conscious. I thought you knew what you were doing'.She added: "But I am quite sure that at that time I did not allow him to have sex with me because I was feeling miserable. I was drunk." The alleged victim said she was still very drunk when she left the next said that months later she saw that another Chinese woman had posted a message on the social media app Red Book with a picture of Mr Zou saying he had had sex with her when she was drunk. The other woman had posted that he was a PhD student who wore a green Rolex watch. The alleged victim contacted this woman, who then put her in touch with the police. Zhenhao Zou is standing trial charged with raping two women. Two of them have been identified by the police, but the identity of the other eight alleged victims is addition to the multiple rape charges, Mr Zou also denies eight counts of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply. The trial continues.
