June 29, 2016, 03:54 PM 
Another Singapore brand is going to pass away soon as 77th Street's founder said it will soon be no more.
In an exclusive interview published on Channel News Asia, the tweenager fashion shop’s founder Elim Chew said her decision to close down the last outlet at Ang Mo Kio Hub was mainly due to high rentals.
Not that this is particularly shocking as the signs that times are hard for brick-and-mortar retailers have been on the horizon for the longest time.
In an interview with The Straits Times on April 7, 2016, it was revealed that Chew had already moved on from the 77th Street business to another logistics venture.
Just two months ago, there were still two 77th Street shops left: One at Bugis Junction and the other at Ang Mo Kio Hub.
The 800 sq ft Bugis Junction outlet then closed down in late May this year.
Rentals are too high
In the ST interview, Chew said: "We shut the stores over the years because rents kept going up; manpower shortage was also an issue. The retail scene is changing, so we'll wait and see."
It also exited the China market in 2015 as the retail scene is facing a major shake-up from online shopping.
Chew told ST: "E-commerce is disrupting retail. In China you could buy a handbag online for $4..."
According to ST, 77th Street was founded in 1988 with only a 350 sq ft shop in Ang Mo Kio, although other sources state that it was founded in Far East Plaza with a small shop on level four.
At one point, it had 16 stores throughout Singapore.
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17 brands that have passed away in S’pore the last few years, some very quietly
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