Simonboy's cheekon rice stall opened and uplorried all within 6 months, boy this must be a new record!

Shaw Theatres to close Seletar outlet, last day of screening on Dec 15

On Monday (Dec 2), Singapore-based cinema chain Shaw Theatres announced that it will be closing its outlet at The Seletar Mall after 10 years of operation. The outlet, which is located on the fourth floor of the mall, will have its final day of operations on Dec 15. It first opened in December 2014.

In a statement, the management of Shaw Theatres said that the closure was due to the end of the lease between the chain and The Seletar Mall, and that the mall "has alternative plans for the space".

Mark Shaw, director of Shaw Organisation Group of Companies, added: "Shaw Theatres Seletar was our first boothless cineplex – and it was quite a milestone for us especially in terms of operations and space utilisation as it occupied a much smaller footprint. We are grateful for the wonderful decade spent serving the Seletar community."

After Dec 15, the nearest Shaw Theatres outlets for Seletar residents will be at NEX and Waterway Point.

From now till Dec 15, Shaw Theatres at The Seletar Mall will have a "closing promotion" where every ticket purchased at the outlet will entitle customers to a free popcorn combo or Tater Gems combo at Shaw Theatres' NEX and Waterway Point outlets.

https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/shaw-theatres-seletar-mall-closing-down-414671

Overseas Emporium in Chinatown shuts down after more than 50 years

The time-honoured Overseas Emporium, a beloved store located in the People's Park Complex in Chinatown, has closed its doors after more than 50 years of operations.

The department store, which held a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans, officially ceased operations on Nov. 17.

Clearance sale

Shin Min Daily News reporters visited the store on multiple occasions this month, observing its gradual closure.

Spanning a wide range of goods, the store's offerings included household items, winter clothing, bird's nest products, and various Chinese medicinal health items.

A long-time staff member revealed that he had spent nearly 50 years of his life working at the emporium, expressing deep ties to the store.

On the final day of operations, Nov. 17, the store’s electronic sign displayed, “Hot discounts! Last day for clearance sale.”

Shoppers reportedly flocked to take advantage of the discounts, creating a bustling atmosphere as customers selected discounted items from the dwindling stock.

Customers saddened

Many regular customers expressed sadness over the store’s closure.

A regular customer in his 70s, surnamed Guo, told Shin Min that he had visited the store the day before to buy shoes and returned to purchase more items.

He spent more than S$20 to buy 10 small jade pendants as keepsakes and gifts.

“I feel a little sad to hear that it will close," he said.

Another customer, surnamed Han, who is about to travel to Shanghai, said that he heard that winter clothes there were discounted by up to 75 per cent.

"The original price was more than S$200, but now it's discounted to only more than S$60. It's really worth it. I have to buy it."

When a Shin Min reporter visited the shop again on Nov. 18 and 20, the shop had already closed its doors.

A clerk confirmed that the store had closed for good and that the space would soon be sold to a travel agency.

Background

Started in 1971, Overseas Emporium was one of the largest Chinese emporiums in Singapore in the 70s.

The main emporium at People's Park Complex offered more than 20,000 square feet of shopping space.

Jialat, Daiso @ Tiong Bahru Plaza recently went poof 😨

2nd outlet of Chee Soon Juan's Orange & Teal at Marina Square closes down from Oct. 11, 2024

Orange & Teal at Marina Square shut its doors on Oct. 11, 2024.

The cafe posted on its Instagram page, saying the decision was "due to rising costs".

The cafe is run by politician-turned-F&B-owner Chee Soon Juan, and opened on Aug. 20, 2022.  

Chee stated in 2022 that the Marina Square outlet would have an express food concept, for office workers to grab a quick lunch.

The outlet at Marina Square received good reviews on Google, with customers praising its generous portions, valuable lunch sets, and cozy atmosphere.

The cafe's original outlet at Rochester Mall will continue to operate as usual.

Orange & Teal @ Rochester Mall 

Address: 35 Rochester Dr, #02-12 Rochester Mall, Singapore 138639 

Opening Hours: 

• Sunday to Thursday, 11am - 9pm

• Friday & Saturday, 11am - 10pm

• Closed on Mondays

Times Bookstores shuts last outlet in Holland Road, exits Singapore

SINGAPORE – Times Bookstores will end nearly five decades of operations in Singapore as the lease for its last remaining outlet at Cold Storage Jelita in Holland Road runs out in September.

The English book retailer, which has not responded to queries from The Straits Times on the matter, bid farewell in a statement on Instagram on Sept 16, inviting readers to visit it one final time.

“Our happily ever after has finally come,” it said, after several posts about moving-out sales for its final outlet. “It is with both a heavy heart and a sense of fulfilment that we announce the closure of Times Bookstores.”

The writing has been on the wall for several years for the former book giant established in 1978, as it faced high rents, low foot traffic and weak sales.

The group owned by regional consumer group Fraser and Neave shut its Plaza Singapura and Waterway branches in February, prompting an outpouring of sentiment from the literary community here about how Singapore can better protect its bookstores.

In 2019, a warning sign came when Times Bookstores wound up its Centrepoint branch, once one of the biggest bookstores in Singapore at 8,000 sq ft.

Covid-19 dealt another major blow to the business, as two outlets ceased operations without fanfare at Marina Square and Paragon in 2021.

It is unclear what Times Bookstores’ next steps are, although its book distribution business in Singapore – where it places books printed by international and local publishers it represents into bookstores – continues to operate.

The last day of operations for Times Jelita is Sept 22.

Times’ closure leaves only a few players on the scene. Books Kinokuniya, Singapore’s largest bookstore, has been at Takashimaya Shopping Centre since 1999, and ST has reached out to landlord Toshin Development Singapore about its fate.

A spokesperson said the bookstore’s lease is ongoing, but did not reveal dates for contract renewal. “As an anchor tenant, Books Kinokuniya is a key valued partner that we closely engage through regular discussions, to keep in trend to appeal to the patrons.”

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/times-bookstores-shuts-last-outlet-in-holland-road-exits-singapore

Giant to shut its Toa Payoh supermarket later in September, its ninth closure in 2024

SINGAPORE - Supermarket chain Giant will soon close its ninth store here in 2024, as it grapples with stiff competition from online retailers and other grocery stores.

Since February, Giant has closed a hypermarket in Sembawang Shopping Centre, three supermarkets in Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Bukit Panjang, and four smaller “Express” stores in Nanyang Technological University, Pasir Ris, Redhill and Punggol.

The shutters will come down on the ninth store, its supermarket in Toa Payoh Lorong 4, later in September.

This closure will leave Giant with 45 outlets here, down from 53 in February. In 2024, the grocer opened a store in Tengah.

From 2020 to 2023, the number of Giant stores remained steady, hovering between 53 and 55.

The closures in Singapore come as Giant’s footprint in the region shrinks. Its parent company, DFI Retail Group, exited the Malaysian grocery market in March 2023 by selling its stake in GCH Retail, which runs the Giant, Mercato and Giant Mini chains there.

In 2021, retail group PT Hero Supermarket, of which DFI is a majority shareholder, closed all its Giant supermarkets in Indonesia after the group’s revenue dropped 34 per cent year on year.

Retail experts said DFI was likely pushed to close its Giant stores because of a combination of factors, among them high rental rates, competition from other supermarket chains and the shift towards online grocery shopping triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

When The Straits Times visited the Giant supermarket in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on Sept 2, a staff member said business at the store had been poor in the past year, largely due to competition from two neighbouring FairPrice outlets – both less than a kilometre away.

The employee, who declined to be named, said staff were told by Giant’s management that they would be redeployed to Cold Storage outlets – which DFI also owns – after the store’s closure.

Although there were no closure notices around the store, two freezer units and several refrigerator shelves were empty.

There was also a sign on the wall at the outlet’s loading area that listed Sept 11 and 13 as the last days of inventory deliveries for frozen products and fresh food, respectively.

A lot more at https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/consumer/giant-to-shut-its-toa-payoh-supermarket-on-sept-15-its-ninth-closure-this-year

Dining American pizza chain Little Caesars closing last Singapore outlet in September

Here's some unfortunate news for Little Caesars fans in Singapore. The American pizza outlet announced on Sep 3 that it would shut its last remaining outlet at Funan sometime this month. Over the past few weeks, Little Caesars had been slowly closing its stores in Singapore – with its Ang Mo Kio and Northshore Plaza outlets ending operations on Aug 13 and 26, respectively. 

Little Caesars has yet to announce the last date of operations for the Funan outlet. CNA Lifestyle has reached out to Little Caesars Singapore for comments.

Little Caesars opened its first Singapore outlet in 2018 at Collyer Quay. Eventually, it expanded islandwide – opening stores at the likes of Funan, SingPost Centre and Junction Nine. Little Caesars Pizza was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. 

https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/dining/little-caesars-closing-down-singapore-405676

Ben Yeo's fish soup stall is no more

Habitat Coffee in Jalan Besar closing on Jun. 30, 2024 after 14 years

Habitat Coffee, a cafe located along King George's Avenue in Jalan Besar, will be closing down on Jun. 30, 2024, after 14 years in business.

The cafe announced the closure via a Facebook post on May 30.

"This decision was never easy, but it was necessary as we, a family-run cafe, have decided to take a break and count our blessings," added Habitat Coffee.

The cafe, which was founded in 2011, is known for its coffee and brunch fare.

'Not a full goodbye'

In the post, Habitat Coffee also thanked its customers, stating that many had "made meaningful memories" at the cafe since its days in Upper Thomson.

In June 2021, the cafe announced that it would be relocating from Upper Thomson, where it had been operating for 10 years, to Jalan Besar.

However, the impending closure of Habitat Coffee's Jalan Besar outlet may not be the end of the brand.

The cafe said: "You never know what the future brings, and we may probably stick our heads out somewhere again to greet you."

Details of Habitat Coffee

Address: 803 King George's Ave, #01-242/244, Singapore 200803

Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 9am to 6pm (Closed on Mondays)

Fridays and Saturdays: 9am to 9pm

Sudden closure of 3 bridal studios leaves more than 60 couples high and dry, over $250k paid

Bride-to-be Chloe had been looking forward to her big day in November and preparations had been going smoothly. 

Until she received a text from her friend on Tuesday (April 2) that left her with a pit in her stomach.

It led her to a forum on local wedding planning website SingaporeBrides, which was buzzing with news about the sudden closure of a bridal studio called Love Nest. 

It was there that Chloe, who declined to give her full name and occupation, learnt that L'atelier — the bridal boutique that she and her fiance had hired as well as an associated entity of Love Nest — had also shut down. 

The 27-year-old told AsiaOne that she and her fiance had purchased a bridal package — which included the rental of wedding attire, make-up and photography on the wedding day — for about $3,660 last December. The couple paid in full.

And at least more than 60 other couples have also been left in limbo by the shuttering of the two bridal studios and Love Story Wedding Boutique, another associated entity of Love Nest. All three are located at City Gate in Beach Road. 

A check online by AsiaOne found that Love Nest Holdings, whose business address is listed at Parkview Square in North Bridge Road, was issued a winding up order on Jan 13, 2023, and is listed as being in liquidation. 

Losses incurred by the affected couples could amount to more than $250,000. Reports have been filed with the police, and complaints with the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).

The police said a 36-year-old man is assisting with investigations.

Chloe and her fiance last visited L'atelier for a gown fitting session on March 10 and made several appointments for upcoming sessions on that day. They were next supposed to pick out the groom's suit on April 27.

Like most of the other affected couples, they tried in vain to contact their wedding coordinators after finding out about the bridal shops' closures. Chloe's father also headed down to L'atelier, where he found the lights on but no staff in sight.

Financial loss aside, Chloe, who has made a police report, said: "It's a bit bothersome to restart the whole search process for the different vendors."

She added that she and several other people who were affected have tried requesting chargebacks from their credit card companies. But she was unsuccessful as more than 90 days had lapsed since she paid for the package.

Over $250,000 paid to the bridal shops

Another customer who has been stung is Ramsey Teo. He had made partial payment of around $3,500 to Love Nest for his $8,000 bridal package, which consisted of a pre-wedding photo shoot and photography on the wedding day.

The 30-year-old, who works in the cleaning services industry and is getting married in November, said that the first sign of trouble emerged in late March, when two employees from the studio's production team suddenly exited a group chat with him and his fiancee.

On Monday, another customer in a bridal group chat he had joined claimed most of the employees at the bridal shop had resigned as of March 31, and that the gowns and bridal displays in the store had been taken down.

Like many other Love Nest customers, he received a text message from the studio the next day, which said it was "temporarily closing its operations from April 2" because of "unforeseen circumstances and financial challenges".

The message also said all services will be temporarily unavailable, and that updates will be made via its website, email and social media pages.

According to a spreadsheet created by the affected couples, which AsiaOne saw, there appears to be more than 60 couples who have paid over $250,000 in total to Love Nest, L'atelier and Love Story Wedding Boutique.

Responding to AsiaOne's queries, Case said it has received 17 consumer complaints as of Wednesday night.

Case president Melvin Yong said consumers had engaged the companies for services such as pre-wedding photography, make-up and rental of wedding outfits, and had already made payment.

"However, they were notified on April 2 by Love Nest that it and its associated entities would be temporarily closed, without any clarity on when these companies would reopen and honour their contractual obligations," Yong added.

The total contractual amount for these affected consumers is over $58,000.

Other wedding vendors to the rescue

Several wedding service providers have stepped up to help, with some offering discounts to affected couples.

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Evan Ong, co-founder of integrated wedding company Knotz, said he has contacted affected customers to match them to service providers such as photographers and bridal studios.

"There are some vendors that are willing to offer 15 to 50 per cent discounts," he added.

"This is not the first instance of a bridal shop suddenly closing and we have previously helped other couples [in the same situation]."

The SingaporeBrides website has also curated a list of service providers who are offering discounts to affected couples.

Employees allegedly owed wages

But it appears that it's not just customers that the bridal boutiques have left in the lurch.

According to the Shin Min report, one employee claimed that the company owes some 20 staff members around $100,000 in unpaid wages.

As for himself, he has not been paid for two months and could not contact his boss.

Another employee also told the Chinese newspaper that the company owes him nearly $3,000 in wages and that some full-time photographers are allegedly owed two to three months' salary amounting to over $10,000.

AsiaOne has reached out to the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management for comment.

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/sudden-closure-3-bridal-studios-leaves-more-60-couples-high-and-dry-over-250k-paid

FYI.

Sin Heng Kee Porridge closes down its store at Toa Payoh after being in business for only a week!!!!

Nasi lemak hawker The CoCo Rice to shutter both Tiong Bahru and Punggol stalls after 3 years

Back in 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Aries Chan, the founder of The CoCo Rice, was one of the brave few people who decided to open an F&B stall. 

After her first successful stall at Tiong Bahru, she went on to open another one at One Punggol Hawker Centre. 

Sadly, both outlets will soon be shuttering for good.

This may come as a surprise as the hawker was just recently invited to participate in the Prime Minister's Chinese New Year Garden Party 2024, where she served food to more than 3,000 guests at the Istana. 

Aries announced the news in posts on her Facebook and Instagram on March 6. 

"We write to you today with mixed emotions as we announce a significant transition in our journey," she wrote.

"After three incredible years serving our beloved nasi lemak at Tiong Bahru Hawker, we have made the heartfelt decision to bid farewell to this chapter of our story." 

The last day for the Tiong Bahru stall will be on March 27, while the Punggol stall's last day is on March 31. 

Aries shared that the "decision has not been made lightly" and thanked her customers for their unwavering support and love. 

She was also grateful to the platforms and influencers that have given her media coverage, as well as those who have given her awards and collaboration opportunities. 

"Each accolade has served as a testament to the dedication and passion poured into every plate of nasi lemak we have served."

While she's sad to let both her stalls go, she understands that as the business evolves, there is the need for "a strategic shift".

"While bidding adieu to our hawker adventure is bittersweet, we are excited to embark on a new adventure that will allow us to explore fresh opportunities and avenues for growth," she wrote. 

This also means that it probably won't be the end of the business. 

Aries hinted that she will be back with some exciting news and urged her customers to keep their eyes peeled in the coming weeks as she will be sharing "updates on future endeavours". 

Lack of manpower and other issues

In response to AsiaOne's queries, Aries shared that she made the decision to shutter the stall for several reasons.

One was manpower issues.

"The demanding nature of the hawker business, the environment of the working area, coupled with long hours can make it challenging to attract and retain workers. If we want to grow, we need more manpower. But is just so difficult to get someone on board and stay," she reveals.

Aries also explains that the "prevailing mindset that hawker food should be cheap and fast" has also affected business.

"While we wholeheartedly believe in offering value to our customers, we also recognise that the true cost of quality ingredients and the labor-intensive processes we undertake cannot always be reflected in our prices."

Lastly, she feels that the company needs a strategic shift as the industry and business evolves."I still believe in taste and experience. Our commitment and vision to delivering exceptional flavours and experiences will remain steadfast," she says.

"We will do rebranding and introduce new products. We are looking forward to having new venture and introduce new products to our clients. We want to be able to serve a wider crowd of audience as well. We want to bring and introduce the authentic taste, experience and convenience to each household."

For now, there are no plans in the pipeline to reopen the business elsewhere. But if there are, she will update everyone.

Customers can also still enjoy her nasi lemak by ordering her nasi lemak cakes from her home-based business, Nasi Lemak Indulgence.

From home-based business to physical stall 

Before opening her physical store at Tiong Bahru Market in mid-2021, Aries, who hails from Malaysia, used to have a home-based business called Nasi Lemak Indulgence, which was popular for its nasi lemak cakes. 

When she wanted to open her own hawker stall, she realised that she could not continue selling nasi lemak cakes and decided to sell just nasi lemak. 

What made her nasi lemak stand out was its pretty and Instagram-worthy blue pea rice. 

In January last year, she opened another stall at One Punggol Hawker Centre. 

This venture specialised in something a little different — nasi kandar. 

https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/nasi-lemak-hawker-coco-rice-shutter-both-tiong-bahru-and-punggol-stalls-after-3-years

Singapore gym chain Ritual ceases operations, customers seek refunds

SINGAPORE: Singapore gym chain Ritual has ceased operations at all four outlets here, saying it has placed the company in provisional liquidation.

It informed customers of the decision in an email on Thursday (Feb 29), saying: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to continue operating, we have decided to close the business and have ceased operations at all locations in Singapore."

The boutique gym is known for offering 20-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. Its four affected outlets are at Holland Village, Orchard Road, East Coast and Tiong Bahru.

Co-founded by former mixed martial arts fighter Brad Robinson and fitness coach Ian Tan, Ritual opened its first outlet in Boat Quay in 2013.

It also has outlets overseas, owned by franchisees, in Brazil and Spain. 

"While we have placed the company into provisional liquidation, we are also exploring ways to get the Ritual experience back up and running as soon as possible," the company said in its email to customers. 

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

Some members left comments on Ritual's latest Instagram post, expressing their disappointment at the closures and asking for refunds.

Some said they had already paid for their membership subscription two days ago or still have “credits” left unused.

“I have six months already paid up,” read one comment.

A member who only wanted to be known as Mrs Tan told CNA that she was “very sad” about the closures, which felt like the “end of an era”.

"I'll never find another gym like Ritual,” she said.

Another customer who wanted to be known as Kyle described Ritual as a “great homegrown brand” but said the announcement did not come as a surprise. 

“The abrupt closure of their first branch which served the central business district (and) the community building events that did not appear to cohere with the core brand ... It did not come as a great surprise when I received the email announcement today,” said Kyle, who has trained at Ritual since 2015.

CNA has contacted Ritual for more information about potential refunds and how many employees would be affected by the closures.

In its email to customers, Ritual said that the appointed provisional liquidators are Cameron Lindsay Duncan and David Dong-Won Kim of KordaMentha, who will handle “all necessary proceedings” and write to members regarding the provisional liquidation process.

Members were also asked to contact the provisional liquidator’s office if they have queries.

“We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support you have shown us, and we cannot express enough gratitude for the community we've built together,” it added.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ritual-gym-chain-closes-singapore-customers-refunds-4160301

Bookstore chain Times closes Plaza Singapura and Waterway Point branches

SINGAPORE – Times Bookstores has shuttered its Plaza Singapura and Waterway Point branches, as the chain’s presence here and in the region continues to dwindle in the face of weak sales and low foot traffic.

The English-book retailer, which has been in Singapore for more than 40 years, has held moving-out clearance sales at both outlets, leaving a sole remaining store in Cold Storage Jelita in Holland Road.

The closures were confirmed by the owners of Plaza Singapura and Waterway Point, CapitaLand and Frasers Property.

Times declined to comment on its future plans in Singapore, and whether it had attempted a new bid to stay on in either locations.

The development marks the latest in a slew of Times closures over the past five years, as rumours abound over the chain’s future plans.

Times, owned by regional consumer group Fraser and Neave, recently also shut multiple branches in Malaysia.

In Singapore, its three-floor Centrepoint store wound up in 2019, before the bookstore chain ceased operations in Marina Square and Paragon in 2021, its woes compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Its Jewel store, Times Junior Jewel, also closed at the end of 2023. The space it had occupied now houses Japanese entertainment store Sanrio.

A Plaza Singapura spokesman thanked Times for the “strong partnership over the years” and said The Travel Store will take over Times’ fourth-floor space by the end of March.

Frasers Property did not reveal who its new tenant will be.

Singapore bookstores have been adversely affected by poorer sales, rising rent, and higher goods and services tax and printing costs, which have pushed up book prices.

Many stores have come up with new ways to attract buyers by offering more than the conventional bookstore experience.

Kinokuniya Singapore, for instance, sells merchandise such as Sonny Angels, a line of tiny cherub dolls popular among Gen Z, and in 2023 launched a Studio Ghibli pop-up.

Popular has evolved to focus more on stationery and textbooks, while indie spaces such as Book Bar organise book launches and reading club activities with food and drinks.

The Singapore Books Publishers Association, in a statement to The Straits Times, said it was saddened by the news, “given the small book landscape in Singapore and the loss of other prominent bookstores in recent years”, such as Borders and MPH.

“Every sales channel is increasingly precious,” it said. “This will adversely affect the accessibility of Singapore literature to our local community and the ability of our publishers to find readers.”

More at https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/bookstore-chain-times-closes-plaza-singapura-and-waterway-point-branches

Le Matin Patisserie's last day of business at ION Orchard is on 29 Feb:

😥😥😥

Gram Cafe & Pancakes at VivoCity bids adieu permanently come 20 February 2024 👋

Stickies Bar abruptly shuts down outlets; 37 employees file salary-related claims

SINGAPORE - Popular watering hole Stickies Bar abruptly closed two of its outlets on Jan 15 and laid off more than 30 employees, amid workers’ complaints about delayed salary payments.

Former employees The Straits Times spoke to said they are still owed salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. They have since filed salary-related claims with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).

In a joint statement on Jan 24, spokespersons for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and TADM said 37 Stickies employees have filed claims with TADM as at Jan 22.

TADM has arranged for mediation sessions between the company and the affected employees on their claims, the joint statement added.

Stickies is a popular local bar in Singapore known for affordable drinks. According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, the directors of Stickies are Mr Norman Then and Mr Chong Sing Yong.

In response to queries from ST, Mr Then said on Jan 24 that the bar has engaged insolvency practitioner Farooq Mann from Mann & Associates in the capacity of an interim judicial manager.

Mr Then added that this was to “protect the going concerns of the business and to look out for the best interest of all the creditors, including the staff”.

On Jan 15, two of the bar’s four outlets – in Aljunied and Keng Cheow Street – were closed with immediate effect, said Mr Calvin Chen, a part-timer at Stickies.

The 28-year-old added that prior to the closing of the outlets, Stickies had already started retrenching employees. 

At the time of the interview on Jan 22, Mr Chen said Stickies’ outlets in Dhoby Ghaut and Sunset Lane were still operating.

However, Mr Then told ST on Jan 24 that only the Dhoby Ghaut outlet remains open, and did not provide further information on the one at Sunset Lane.

Mr Chen, who currently works full-time in administration, said that the majority of employees were not paid for the month of December.

He added that payment was supposed to come in on the 7th of every month, but since August 2023, delayed salary payments and wrong amounts of salaries credited had become the norm.

Explaining the situation in December, an employee who wanted to be known only as Cel said Mr Then had said on Jan 11 that employees would receive their December salaries on Jan 15.

However, when the day came, employees received a WhatsApp message that indicated that the company would be undergoing debt restructuring, or interim judicial management.

Mr Bryan Kuah, a 24-year-old part-timer at the company, said his pay came in two weeks late in September, and even then, he received only 10 per cent of his pay.

He added that the last time he had received his pay on time was in March 2023, and the last time he received his pay at all was in October.

“The delayed salary has affected me in my daily needs and spending as I am also a full-time student in university, and do not have much time to earn money for my monthly spending,” said Mr Kuah.

Ms Joey Peh, Stickies’ former marketing manager, told ST on Jan 22 that she resigned in December after months of not receiving her pay and CPF contributions on time.

“It was not just a one-off thing. It started to happen more frequently and that’s when the red flags started popping up,” Ms Peh said, adding that she had tried to raise this issue with higher management before she finally resigned.

More at https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/stickies-bar-abruptly-shuts-down-outlets-37-employees-file-salary-related-claims