TikTok video shows nearly empty Bukit Merah ‘Happy Hawker’ coffeeshop

SINGAPORE: A TikTok video showing a nearly deserted coffeeshop in Bukit Merah has sparked discussion online, with many netizens pointing to high rentals and location factors as possible reasons behind the decline. The video, posted by user dougiewogie, captured the condition of the “Happy Hawker” coffeeshop in Bukit Merah. It was captioned “Saddest ‘Happy’ Hawkers coffeeshop” and has garnered over 61,000 views at the time of writing. In the clip, only two stalls were seen open – including the popular chain The King of Fried Rice – while the rest were shuttered. Fewer than 10 diners could be seen inside the premises. The poster, however in the comments, said that the fried rice stall tenant mentioned four more tenants would be moving in. Happy Hawker is managed by Koufu Group, a Singaporean company founded in 2002 by grassroots leader Pang Lim. The group operates a large network of food courts and coffeeshops across Singapore and Macau. Apart from Bukit Merah, other Happy Hawker outlets can be found in Yishun, Tampines and Bukit Batok.

Netizens Cite High Rentals and Location Factors

Commenters under the TikTok post suggested that high rental costs may be driving stallholders away, while others felt the Bukit Merah estate itself played a role. One user remarked that operators had bid high prices to secure new BTO coffeeshops but ended up serving sub-par food at high prices, questioning who would patronise such stalls. Others noted that the area is home to many seniors and has plenty of affordable alternatives nearby. “Try to sell expensive food there is a spell for trouble,” one user wrote. One user, whose grandmother lives in the area, shared that she had heard rumours the coffeeshop might eventually close down. Some also pointed out that the problem is not unique to Bukit Merah, citing a similar situation at the Tampines Happy Hawker. One commenter claimed that stallholders have either refused to renew their rental contracts or chosen to boycott such coffeeshops altogether. It is noted that in 2018, hawkers launched a petition against the group, alleging unfair contractual terms such as steep rent increases, additional service fees, and charges for tray returns.

Growing Crisis in the F&B Sector

The case comes amid broader concern over rising rental costs across Singapore’s food and beverage (F&B) sector. In May, a consultant and professional speaker raised the issue on Facebook, highlighting soaring rental costs and sparking debate about social inequality and landlord practices affecting small vendors. More than 300 small businesses are reportedly shutting down each month in 2025, closures that industry observers and business owners link directly to escalating commercial rental costs.

Criticism of HDB Rental Model

Veteran food critic and hawker culture advocate KF Seetoh has sharply criticised the Housing and Development Board (HDB), accusing it of fuelling unsustainable coffeeshop rents in HDB estates. In a Facebook post on 19 September, Seetoh condemned tenders exceeding S$88,000 a month, arguing that such costs place a heavy burden on hawkers and consumers while undermining government budget meal policies. Earlier this month, former food and beverage operator Khoo Keat Hwee also voiced concern over record-breaking tenders, warning that such bids risk becoming “new rental norms” that push food prices even higher in estates such as Tampines North, Punggol, and Bidadari. He described the trend as “unsustainable” for both residents and business operators. Back in 2022, then-Minister for National Development Desmond Lee cautioned against rent control measures, noting that such policies could have “unintended impacts.” He warned that by controlling rent, the incentive for coffeeshop owners to invest in improving their premises and providing better services might be reduced.