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Another local business has fallen at the hands of Covid-19.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Thai Pan, a local zi char restaurant located in the residential estate Mandarin Gardens, will be closing down for good at the end of June.
Their last day of operations will be on June 30, 2021.
Since 2003
The restaurant has been operational for 18 years, since 2003.
The 80-year-old owner, Yang, told Shin Min Daily News reporters that she had named the business Thai Pan, because of the many Thais' she knew of when she first succeeded the business.
She added that she still bought the ingredients for the zi char dishes herself, and would visit the market four times a week to purchase the ingredients.
Popular dishes include the Butter Squid (from S$16) and the Thai Pan Fried Rice (from S$4.80).
Butter Squid. Image via Google Maps
Fried Rice. Image via Google Maps
The zi char restaurant is popular with residents in the neighbourhood, and was somewhat of an after-school ritual for many students from nearby schools, such as Victoria Junior College and Victoria School.
Loyal customers
Yang told Shin Min Daily News reporters that losing the restaurant was heartbreaking, akin to losing a kid that she had "raised".
Shin Min reported that the business was closing, as it was unable to cope with the economic impact of Covid-19.
Yang shared that they had managed to tide over rising rental costs over the past two years – after negotiating for lower rental and with the support of loyal customers – but she had eventually decided to retire the business after this month, due to poor business.
Yang thanked Thai Pan's customers for being loyal patrons over the past 18 years.
"Thank you for appreciating our food. I'm honoured to have been able to serve you. Thank you."