Six stalls in ION Food Hall close
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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
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Thats sad, I intended to visit them all next wednesday, guess I'll skip ion altogether and go 313 instead.
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those in OC oso struggling........
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so exp
who want to eat
?
one bowl of jap stall noodles cost 13 bucks
might as well go back cook
korean instant noodles
which taste much better
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Originally posted by noahnoah:
so exp
who want to eat
?
one bowl of jap stall noodles cost 13 bucks
might as well go back cook
korean instant noodles
which taste much better
Wah 13 bucks, sounds like that ramen shop located below robinson point.
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$13.00 might as well go and robber
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The food there is so expensive.
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Its orchard road, if its cheap, something is certainly wrong.
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I remember the chicken rice at 6 dollars. Seriously whats the rental rate there ?
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I never bought anything from the food hall before
No seats and all
Actually I think the only place I have actually had anything to eat/drink in ION is at TWG
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With less than $2, u can try -->
- EACH A CUP bubble tea (basement 4) OR
- CORNERY - the popcorn gallery (basement 4)
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Originally posted by elindra:
I never bought anything from the food hall before
No seats and all
Actually I think the only place I have actually had anything to eat/drink in ION is at TWG
I only order from the shops that have their own tables and chairs. that japense place that specialises in katsudon is actually pretty good!
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Is it still full around peak hours ? For around 6, might as well eat fast food.... or spend more in a decent restaurant
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me bog arinco before.
me eberitime buy renaldo's.
bt me haben try freddie's burger!
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Heard the rental one day is about $500 a day. They just cant cover the rental cost.
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maybe, they should come up with some promotions. seriously the food is so expensive and given there are so many foodcourts around, it is going to be hard..
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In singapore, a lot of businesses die due to high rentals. The govt encourages pple to be entrepreneurial yet shit like this still happens. They tie ur right hand while letting go of your left.
Who the hell wants to eat foodcourt food for $6-$15? Even high income earners would be turned off. In San Francisco, a lunchtime in the foodcourt may cost a person USD10 but what he earns is double or triple of what he gets in Sg.
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for one stall which has closed, there must be a few more others bleeding in their pockets.
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Originally posted by elindra:
I never bought anything from the food hall before
No seats and all
Actually I think the only place I have actually had anything to eat/drink in ION is at TWG
neither have i and i have the same issue - no place to sit and i don't fancy eating and walking at the same time -
Originally posted by cassie:
neither have i and i have the same issue - no place to sit and i don't fancy eating and walking at the same time
i sometimes tabao sushi from the 360 at ION then hop over to the bookstore at wheelock to get a book and drinks... of coz I wont dirty the books with food though >___> -
Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
i sometimes tabao sushi from the 360 at ION then hop over to the bookstore at wheelock to get a book and drinks... of coz I wont dirty the books with food though >___>Thats what people who eat/drink on the bus/mrt usually say.
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all my life i hardly eat at orchard road.
i dont like to act rich.
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Originally posted by dragg:
all my life i hardly eat at orchard road.
i dont like to act rich.
Just because you eat there doesn't mean you have to act rich.
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Originally posted by ditzy:
Just because you eat there doesn't mean you have to act rich.
i am referring to just myself.
not rich people like you.
haha...
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I think they thought the small 'snack' tarbow method could work.