Western Food Stall Toi Lowers Prices Despite 30% Rent Increase After Relocating From Woodlands To Ang Mo Kio
While industrial estate coffeeshops are home to some hidden hawker gems, their far-flung locales mean stallholders often don’t get the crowd they need to turn a profit.
One such stall is Toi, formerly housed in a no-frills Woodlands canteen serving “traditional kopitiam-style Western” food with some restaurant-style flourishes. It was headed by Darren Seet (below, left), 26, a former part-time chef de partie at Grand Hyatt Singapore; as well as his girlfriend Shanesca Low, 23, and her brother Charlsce (right), 22.
Although we found Toi’s nosh like deep-fried chicken chop dressed in a tangy chicken rice-esque chilli emulsion and Ikea-style wings yummy during our last visit, business at the secluded industrial estate was simply “too slow” for the trio to sustain their stall – which is why they ended up closing shop after just three months, at the end of October. Toi will relocate to a heartland coffeeshop in Ang Mo Kio Central on November 21. There, their food will be offered at slightly lower prices (main courses will soon start at $6.90, about $0.50 to $1 less on average).
No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.