MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles At Tai Thong Crescent No Longer Relocating Despite 30% Rent Hike
In May, hawker Ho Qiu Yong, 40, behind well-loved bak chor mee stall MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles, told 8days.sg that he would be moving out of his Tai Thong Crescent location. He wanted to relocate back then after the passing of the coffee shop’s owner, as “the future of the coffee shop is uncertain, we don’t know if the owner’s son wants to sell the building or rent it to a bigger organisation” Following the news, the stall has since attracted longer queues.
No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.
But just one month later, the towkay has changed his mind. He recently put up a large banner in front of his stall, announcing that he’s “not moving” and “reopening in September”, after the coffee shop undergoes renovations. For now, his stall will remain open till August and reopen after upgrading works are complete.
FYI: There are three stalls operating under the name ‘MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles’ islandwide. However, Yong’s is the most popular - at least online, with a 4.3-star Google rating and over 300 reviews. His stall is not affiliated to the original MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles stall at Tai Seng - Yong just happened to be an apprentice at the OG shop.
Why he’s choosing to stay
Yong had nearly settled on a new stall location for his biz at Jalan Besar, but had a few reservations about its contract terms. “I almost placed a deposit and signed a tenancy agreement for that Jalan Besar stall. But the stall owner wanted an extra percentage of my daily sales, which I didn’t feel very comfortable with,” he explains.
At the same time, the Tai Thong Crescent coffee shop had been taken over by a new landlord. The gentleman coincidentally happened to be a longtime patron of Yong’s BCM stall, and asked him to stay on at the kopitiam. “I had already planned to move to Jalan Besar, but suddenly, the new coffee shop landlord came down to my stall - he happens to be one of my customers - and asked me to stay after he’s done with the [coffee shop’s] renovation”.
Interestingly, Yong tells us that he didn’t recognise him at first. “He told me that he was my customer, then I realised. Actually I felt a bit paiseh because I couldn’t recognise him [initially],” he laughs.
Deciding that it was “fate” that the coffee shop’s new boss approached him as he was reconsidering taking up the Jalan Besar lease, Yong also consulted a few of his regular customers, who all asked him to stay at Tai Thong. This further cemented his decision to remain.
As of now, his shop and an existing mixed rice stall are confirmed tenants at the kopitiam, while two new stalls will open later.
Prices remain the same despite 30 percent increase in rent
Due to the renovations and change of hands, Yong says there’s going to be a “30 percent increase in rental”. This is pricier than the Jalan Besar location he initially chose - over there, his rental cost would’ve been roughly 10 percent less.
So why did Yong choose to stay on despite the rental hike? “I also don’t really know, it was just [the right] feeling,” he laughs.
The hawker also tells us that he plans to keep his menu prices the same. “My customers are mostly regulars, so I’m not going to increase the prices,” he explains.
A bowl of fishball noodles without minced meat here starts from $3, while Minced Meat Noodles cost $5. The priciest item is the $7 xiao wan mian (dry noodles accompanied by a bowl of soup brimming with goodies).
Is he worried about footing the bills? Admits Yong: “I am! Times are bad now. I guess I will have to work longer hours to cover [the extra cost]. Many customers tell me, ‘Eh Yong! Where got people sell fishball noodles at $3 now?’. I reply, ‘aiyah, nevermind’.”
MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles (Tai Thong Crescent) is at 47 Tai Thong Cres, S347867. Open daily 6.30am-1.30pm, closed on Tue. Tel: 9152 4414.
Photos: MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles, Burpple/Triffany Lim
No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.
8days.sg is now on #tiktok! Follow us on www.tiktok.com/@8dayseat
Watch Now
Related Stories
Shopping
