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The 75-year-old Tong Ah Eating House (pictured) in Keong Saik Road will move out to a new location as the shophouse has been sold to another owner, media reports said.
According to Tang Chew Fue who rents the commercial space from a relative for S$8,000 a month, the property is believed to have been purchased by a hotelier for around S$8 million.
Founded by Tang’s great-grandfather in 1939, the old coffee shop has been managed by Tang since 1999. The business gained popularity with customers for its unique triangular shape and its facade.
Tang will relocate to a new shophouse nearby at 35 Keong Saik Road, but is worried about high rents.
“I feel squeezed,” said Tang, noting that “property prices have gone up as many private investors have bought land here”. He is also worried about losing the popular outdoor dining feature that the old shop used to provide its customers. "The outdoor seating is important to me. In the new location, the interior is large but my customers will have less carpark space."
Over a month ago, the 70-year-old Hua Bee coffee shop in Moh Guan Terrace in Tiong Bahru also changed hands and was leased to hotelier and restaurateur Loh Lik Peng.
Image souce: The New York Times – Edwin Koo
Nikki De Guzman, Junior Reporter at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email nikki@propertyguru.com.sg