The food and beverage industry in Singapore is brutal.

Plenty of these businesses get started by an overly-optimistic entrepreneurial class of individuals -- only for a good majority of these set-ups die a stillborn death even before making a sound.

So, with the prevalence of such low-survival and high-attrition rate looming in the background, almost as if it is a fact of life in Singapore, it is hard to stand by and watch as established food places with a following get forcibly snuffed out -- such as when Lavender Food Square at Jalan Besar had to make way for an office building in late 2014.

And guess what? Here's another case in point: Author and newspaper columnist, Neil Humphreys, posted the following photo about Buddy Hoagies, a 12-year-old cafe in Nee Soon South Community Club coming face-to-face with its impending closure after not only surviving in the neighbourhood, but having thrived in the scene:

This is what the closure notice read:

CLOSURE NOTICE

TO ALL OUR LOYAL AND VALUED PATRONS

It is with a heavy heart that we wish to inform you that Buddy Hoagies Cafe & Grill will cease its operations permanently at Nee Soon South Community Club as our lease has not been renewed in favour of a new tenant. Our last day of operations here is 15 June 2016 (Wed).

It has been a great privilege being part of this community for the last 12 years. We wish to thank you for your continued support, patience and friendships, without which, our business would not have been a success.

We hope to see you at out other outlets at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre (#B1-05) and Punggol Waterway Point (#02-22). Please visit our website at www.buddyhoagies.com.sg for any updates on relocation details.

Theresa Ng & The Management Staff

Buddy Hoagies Cafe & Grill

However, that's not exactly the full story.

Based on what Humphreys wrote, it is understood that the cafe was not only forced out after being given a short one-month notice, the next establishment to take over their place could possibly be a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet:

But the owners just found out the CC property management agent would not be renewing the tender. They were given ONE MONTH to leave (they had to plead with their MP to get a month's extension).

And what is taking their place?

Well, the rumour is ... KFC!

Currently, Buddy Hoagies still has two outlets, one in Waterway Point in Punggol and the other at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

Related article:

Is it accurate to say that the F&B scene in S’pore is brutal? Yes

Lavender Food Square at Jalan Besar closing down to make way for rent-seeking capitalists

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