Latest news with #WalaWalaCafeBar
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open Musical fans, you're in for a treat. Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular - a large-scale version of the acclaimed Les Miserables musical, which played over 200 performances in the West End - is coming to Singapore in March 2026, announced Base Entertainment Asia today (June 12)... » READ MORE 2. No significant impact to travellers after Jetstar Asia closure, say analysts Travellers will not be significantly impacted with the impending closure of Singapore-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Jetstar Asia, aviation analysts have said... » READ MORE 3. Popular Holland Village eateries Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar to shutter When it comes to popular eateries at Holland Village, two places that probably often come to mind are Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar. But after decades of operations, both establishments are set to shutter... » READ MORE 4. 'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination When Apple Hong received a congratulatory text from her BFF, actress Priscelia Chan, about two weeks ago, she was puzzled. "I was having dinner outside when Priscelia texted me, saying, 'Hey Apple, congrats, we can go together.' Then I was like, 'What congrats? Go together where?'" the 46-year-old actress recounted in a recent interview with AsiaOne. ... » READ MORE editor@
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Holland Village stalwarts Wala Wala, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao to shut; Wine RVLT relocates
Wala Wala Cafe Bar may end its 32-year run before its lease is up by the end of 2025. PHOTO: WALA WALA CAFE BAR SINGAPORE – Two Holland Village establishments look set to bow out of the foodie cluster in 2025. The Straits Times recently reported that the area is losing its mojo, with foot traffic dwindling and businesses closing. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao will shut after 20 years on June 30, while nightspot Wala Wala Cafe Bar may end its 32-year run before its lease is up at the end of 2025. Citing waning footfall in the area, rising operating costs and a challenging labour market as reasons for the closure, Wala Wala's owner Stanley Yeo told The Business Times in a June 12 article that he is looking for a new tenant to take over the space. In a statement to ST, a spokesman for the Crystal Jade Group confirmed that the restaurant's lease in Holland Village is up and added that the group is 'evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore'. The group still runs its Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen at the One Holland Village mall, and has other Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao outlets at i12 Katong, Bugis Junction and Hillion Mall. Over in Hongkong Street, modern Spanish restaurant FOC announced in an Instagram post on June 12 that it will shut in August, after 11 years. Its other outlet is at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach. These add to other recent closures, including another Holland Village restaurant, Sens Dining, which shut in April; and ramen chain Kanada-Ya at Jem, Marina Square and Paya Lebar Quarter. In May, souffle pancake chain Fluff Stack closed its outlets, while Japanese ramen specialist Hokkaido Ramen Santouka exited Singapore after 17 years at Clarke Quay Central mall. Upmarket restaurants were not spared either in the challenging food and beverage scene. Modern European restaurants Imbue in Keong Saik Road and the one-Michelin-starred Poise in Teck Lim Road have also closed in recent months. Others are starting new chapters in different locations. Choon Hoy Parlor, which shut in Beach Road on April 14, soft-launched on June 8 with a bigger 64-seat, double-storey space at the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, next to its sister concept The Masses. Choon Hoy Parlor continues to offer its style of Singapore soul food at affordable prices. Over in Robertson Quay, some former tenants at the mixed development Robertson Walk – which has shut for its redevelopment into a luxury residential enclave with dining and entertainment choices – are also gearing up to open in new venues in July. Home-grown Thai restaurant Fi Woodfire Thai will reopen at Shaw Centre, while decade-old burger restaurant Wildfire Burgers moves to UE Square and will be relaunched as Wild/Fire. Wine bar Wine RVLT - which had already announced in 2024 that it would not renew its lease in 2025 - will go out with a bang. It will wrap up a slew of events leading up to the final day on July 12 with a 'Finish Finish Liao Party'. Wine bar Wine RVLT will shut in Carpenter Street on July 12. PHOTO: ST FILE And while this eight-year run in Carpenter Street will conclude, a new location is already in the works for what will be called Revolution Wine Bistro - slated to open in Henderson Road on July 18. Eunice Quek is STFood online editor at The Straits Times. She covers all things trending in the food and beverage scene. Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Popular Holland Village eateries Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar to shutter, Lifestyle News
When it comes to popular eateries at Holland Village, two places that probably often come to mind are Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar. But after decades of operations, both establishments are set to shutter. Crystal Jade announced the news on its website, along with a closing promotion called a 'Farewell Feast' at the outlet offering discounts of up to 30 per cent. "Join us for a limited-time Farewell Fest as we bid a warm farewell to our Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Holland Village outlet," said the Chinese chain restaurant. Currently, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao has six outlets that remain open at Toa Payoh Mall, Bugis Junction, Jurong Point, i12 Katong, Changi Airport Terminal 1 and Hillion Mall. No reason was stated for the closure and Crystal Jade did not say when the restaurant's last day will be. AsiaOne has reached out for more details. Wala Wala, which has been at Holland Village since 1993, will be closing by the end of 2025. Owner Stanley Yeo told The Business Times (BT) in an interview that the lease for the unit ends this year. While there is no official closure date as he is in the midst of looking for a new tenant to occupy the space, the last day of operations would be in end-August at the earliest, he told BT. There were several reasons for the closure, including poor foot traffic, rising operational costs and a challenging labour market. AsiaOne has reached out to Wala Wala Cafe Bar. The closure of both establishments is among several other longstanding tenants that have exited Holland Village, including Thambi Magazine store, which shuttered in May last year after 80 years. Another closure was family-run furniture business Lim's Holland Village, which closed in November after 50 years. [[nid:718070]] melissateo@
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.
