Latest news with #WalaWala
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala at Holland Village to close after over 20 years
Say it isn't so – two of Holland Village's longtime tenants are packing up after more than two decades in the neighbourhood. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, the popular casual Chinese dining spot at a corner unit of Holland Avenue, will be serving its final bowls of noodles and baskets of dumplings on June 30. Meanwhile, live music pub Wala Wala Café Bar – a regular haunt for crisp beers and after-hours fun – is also slated to shutter before the year ends. Their exits add to the growing list of F&B closures in Singapore's F&B landscape this year. Just yesterday, ramen chain Kanada-Ya announced the closure of all three of its Singapore outlets. And earlier this year, we also said goodbye to international chains like Burger & Lobster and Eggslut, as well as other popular F&B brands like Flor Patisserie, 1939 Singapore, and Fluff Stack. While this double blow in Holland Village might raise flags about the neighbourhood's dwindling popularity, it's possible that the buzz has simply shifted. One Holland Village (OHV) – a newly developed, pet-friendly mall just a stone's throw away – has been drawing the weekend crowds with its breezy layout and mix of cafés and restaurants. Not to mention, it's mostly shaded, offering some respite from the scorching heat. You'll find plenty of folks chilling out with dogs in tow, sipping iced coffee at one of the many free seating areas. In fact, you'll still be able to dine at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao's sister restaurant, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, at the nearby mall. Still, it's bittersweet. Loyal customers will always remember the Chinese restaurant as a reliable spot for casual family meals, and Wala Wala for its lively gigs and happy hour deals. So if you've got time before June 30, head down to Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao once more for old time's sake, and raise a final toast at Wala Wala before it shuts its doors at the end of the year. Find out more about Crystal Jade here and Wala Wala Café Bar here.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Open for Business: Open for Business: Holland V, Orchard exits - SG retail vacancy accelerates
CNA938 Rewind Holland Village mainstays Wala-Wala and Crystal Jade are among the latest departures from the area, further signalling a weakening of Singapore's retail scene. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng chat with Ethan Hsu, Head of Retail at Knight Frank, to examine the causes and possible solutions
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Holland Village icons Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar set to close this year
Two more iconic fixtures of Holland Village are set to close their shutters this year: Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Holland Village and Wala Wala Cafe Bar. The former had been operating for two decades while the latter, since 1993. The closure of Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Holland Village was first alluded to in a promotion on its parent company's page, which advertised a "Farewell Feast" at the outlet offering discounts of up to 30 per cent. A spokesperson for Crystal Jade told CNA Lifestyle on Friday (Jun 13) that Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Holland Village will close on Jun 30 after its current lease expires. "As part of our ongoing business strategy, we are evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore," added the spokesperson. "Customers can continue to enjoy our group's authentic Chinese cuisine at our sister establishment, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, at the nearby One Holland Village." In an interview with Singapore-based publication The Business Times, Wala Wala Cafe Bar owner Stanley Yeo said that he plans to vacate the space ahead of the end of his lease this year. Citing dwindling foot traffic and increasing operational costs as some of the reasons for the bar's impending closure, Yeo added that he is currently finding a replacement tenant. CNA Lifestyle has reached out to Wala Wala Cafe Bar for more comments.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Last call: Holland Village mainstay Wala Wala seeks to exit lease, plans to close
[SINGAPORE] Indie cafe bar Wala Wala Cafe Bar in Holland Village is preparing to shut its doors, marking the end of a three-decade chapter for the nightlife stalwart. Owner Stanley Yeo told The Business Times that the lease for the 1,700 square feet ground floor space on Lorong Mambong ends this year. He has received his landlord's consent for an early exit and is currently looking for a new tenant to take over the space. The restaurant will not close immediately as it depends on when Yeo can find a replacement tenant. At the earliest, the last day of operations would be end-August, he said. Yeo said that he intends to spend more time with his grandchildren. The decision to call it a day also stemmed from a combination of factors: waning foot traffic, rising operating costs, and a challenging labour market. 'The market has not been great and basically the nightlife and food and beverage industry are suffering,' he said. 'It's time to call it a day and move on.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Logistical challenges, such as road closures, and changes in consumer behaviour contributed to the declining footfall. The neighbourhood's two main thoroughfares, Lorong Mambong and Lorong Liput, are closed every day, with swing gates. From last December, the road closure at the entrance was extended to Fridays, weekends, eves and public holidays from 6.30 pm to 2.30 am. The overall experience has become less convenient for customers and delivery partners, thus deterring repeat visits. Shifts in generational preferences made the nightlife trade tougher. These combined pressures have driven Wala Wala's monthly footfall down, directly impacting revenue. Wala Wala has been operating in the red for the last four years, Yeo said. 'We did certain promotions but without the live bands, the atmosphere and the crowds was just not the same,' said Yeo. 'We basically became just another watering hole.' Meanwhile, Wala Wala's rent rose 9 per cent over the last two years, with Yeo currently paying S$28,000 a month for the ground floor space. During the pandemic, it shuttered its live music space on the second floor as live entertainment was halted. 'Maintaining a space with high fixed costs, while unable to generate revenue from live performances, was simply unsustainable,' said Yeo. When Wala Wala's lease came up for renewal, the landlord for the upper-floor space declined to adjust rent despite the changed landscape. In contrast, the ground-floor landlord offered a sustainable rate, allowing Wala Wala to stay, he added. Still, losing the upper floor led to sales plunging by 50 to 60 per cent almost overnight. Wala Wala's ups and downs underscore the broader challenges facing Singapore's F&B and retail scene. Within the Holland Village precinct, convenience store Cheers recently closed while next door, butcher shop Swiss Butchery shuttered its brick-and-mortar outlet and has taken operations online since February. Along Holland Avenue, Sens Dining, a Japanese restaurant serving teppanyaki and omakase, closed in April after its space was repossessed by its landlord. Yeo plans to remain in the F&B business, possibly in a smaller space. But plans remain fluid for now. 'Memories that you've had, treasure them and enjoy them. It was a pleasure being in the village and helping musicians along the way,' he said. Amid these challenges, several tenants in Holland Village are working on initiatives to revive the precinct and improve footfall along Lorong Mambong and Lorong Liput. These include a three-month campaign starting July or August, coinciding with SG60 celebrations, where participating restaurants will offer discounts, product deals and vouchers. Diners who visit all outlets can enter a lucky draw. Additionally, tenants also plan to hold four marquee events annually, starting from 2026. They could include National Day, Chinese New Year, Christmas and other major dates.
