In this year alone, many decades-long legacies are coming to an end because there are no successors.
Poh Ho Restaurant, the coffee shop that sits along 7 Crane Road, is scheduled to close its shutters for good on 30 August, reported Shin Min Daily News.
The coffee shop is run by a trio of brothers, with Mr Zhou Musen, the eldest sibling, acting as the boss.
Opened in 1982, the coffee shop got its name from Mr Zhou’s great-grandfather, because their own father dearly missed that old man and wished to name the establishment in honour of him.
Mr Zhou is now 65 years old, and his younger brothers aren’t getting any younger either.
After discussing among themselves, they decided to close down Poh Ho restaurant.
It was too exhausting, the boss said, adding that none of their children wished to inherit the place.
Although his customers have expressed great reluctance, the boss felt that it was better to end the pain quickly rather than drag it out.
After all, this was just a business to them; they should retire now that they are feeling tired.
The Iconic Stalls
Poh Ho Restaurant is home to a few iconic stalls, namely Hock Thye Noodle House which is famous for its wanton noodles, and Mei Wei Economic Bee Hoon, which serves bee hoon during breakfast hours and curry rice for lunch.
The Famous Crispy Prata Indian Muslim Food, owned by a former employee of the popular Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, used to reside there, but it appears to have moved away, according to the Chinese newspaper reporter who visited the premise recently.
To give a measure of how well-loved the place is, one 68-year-old patron mentioned that he frequented the place so regularly that the boss could remember his car plate number and even referred to him as such.
Another 50-year-old man, a regular of Mei Wei Economic Bee Hoon, said that he would still drive down to visit the store regularly even though he hasn’t been living in the area for more than a decade.
He stated that he will always follow wherever the economic rice stall goes, because he can tell that the lady boss—Ms Huang Yongliang, aged 80—“cooks with her heart”.
That is high praise right there.
The economic rice stall has had a long partnership with Poh Ho Restaurant; having stayed at the same location for the past three decades and raking in decent profits.
It is quite tragic that it has to uproot itself and move away from this familiar space.
Fortunately, Mei Wei Economic Bee Hoon will not be closing down.
Ms Huang has already revealed that her stall will be moving to the Old Airport Road Food Centre nearby.
On the other hand, Hock Thye Noodle House has yet to announce its future plans.
Future of 7 Crane Road
After Poh Ho Restaurant vacates the area, it will undergo some renovations before a Western restaurant moves in.
The opening date for the new establishment has not been confirmed, but it’s highly likely that it will happen around December, said Mr Zhou.
If you wish to try out the food before it officially closes, or enjoy the food one last time for old time’s sake, you can visit 7 Crane Road, Singapore 429356.
It is open from 6:30am to 4pm daily.
Featured Image: Google Maps