WHEN it opened to much fanfare in July last year, the Food Hall
at basement 4 of Ion Orchard was packed. Several stalls there had
long queues of hungry shoppers and stallholders could barely
cope.
Now, six of the 34 stalls have closed, the queues are gone and
stall assistants at the remaining businesses stand around looking
bored. The shuttered stalls, Arinco King, Hokkaido Express, Tokyo
Crepe Girl, Lastchocolate.com, Renaldo's and Freddie's Burger,
closed shop about a month ago.
The remaining stallholders say that business is bad because the
novelty has worn off and customers have no place to sit after
buying food. Mr Clement Tan, 33, outlet manager of Japanese
takoyaki chain Tsujiki Gindaco, says: 'When we first opened, the
queue stretched to the neighbouring shop. Now, we barely have a
queue. People came because we were new. I hope they're not sick of
our food.'
For Mr Sam Wong, 27, who runs GoGo Franks, which is well known
for its prata sausage roll, sales at his outlet in Ang Mo Kio Hub
are 'three times better than at Ion. Even the tenants at Ion don't
eat here because the snacks are a bit pricey. If we can't even feed
our own, how do we feed everyone else? Those who want to spend more
money on a full meal will probably go to the restaurants instead of
eating at the snack outlets.'
He cut prices at his Ion Orchard outlet 'by about 10 per cent
since last year' to attract more customers since competition among
the food outlets is stiff. He also says that rent is high and 'even
the more popular shops may earn enough only to pay their rent'. All
those interviewed declined to say how much rent they are
paying.
Student Lynette Sim, 19, says: 'I'm not surprised that stalls
are closing down. I'm sure that the rental in Ion is very high,
since it is pitched to a crowd that is more well-off.'
-- ST
