'We have nowhere else to go': Couple, both 73, sell HDB flat to keep Sembawang restaurant afloat & live upstairs of premises

The 73-year-old owners of a Peranakan restaurant in Sembawang reportedly resorted to selling their flat to keep their business afloat.

The couple, who are living on the premises above the restaurant, are now appealing for customers' support.

This was after they continued to run the restaurant for 16 years despite financial and health concerns.

Going online for publicity

The Pngs opened Woody Family Peranakan Cafe in 2009 at Andrews Avenue, which is tucked away in a landed estate in Sembawang.

On Sep. 18, the cafe posted an appeal on the "SG Food and Events" Facebook group for customers to visit and support them.

The post stated that the owners are in their 70s and are "not sure how many more years" they might still have for "Woody", which is what the establishment is affectionately known as.

"With increasing raw materials, rental and wages, we are also unsure if we can still continue our days or choose to just close up the business," the post read.

They also set up a new Instagram account in July 2025, hoping to gain more visibility for the restaurant.

In a Facebook video, the owner Sam Png said he's also a maintenance man, taking care of plumbing, electrical works and even gardening.

He also described starting the cafe as a dream for both his wife, Jenny, and himself.

However, their social media posts have low engagement and reach.

Sold flat to keep restaurant afloat

Their situation was then reported in a recent 8world interview.

The couple said their previously bustling restaurant, which had seven employees at its peak, was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The couple dipped into their savings to keep the cafe running.

However, things got worse after the pandemic, with business dropping by 60 to 70 per cent, said the couple.

"There were days where we only had one or two tables of customers, or sometimes none at all," said Jenny.

They also sold their three-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat and applied for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat.

The couple were initially slated to collect their keys to their new flat in April 2025.

However, after the flat completion was delayed, they ended up using the money they'd set aside to keep their business afloat.

The couple added that over the past year, they resorted to borrowing money from six to seven sources, and have outstanding debts of S$20,000.

And although the flat is nearing completion, the couple said they no longer have the funds for the remaining amount as their savings and CPF payouts have also been used to sustain the business.

Now live above the restaurant

The couple is currently living above the restaurant premises.

They told 8world they have sought help from their Member of Parliament (MP) to apply for a rental flat, but were rejected as they are registered company directors.

Jenny added that it's not easy to just sell the restaurant and if they were to give it up, they would also lose a roof over their heads.

Health concerns

The couple now largely run the business on their own.

Jenny, the main chef, works more than 12 hours a day, waking up at 7am to prepare ingredients, cook dishes and serve guests till the restaurant closes at 11pm.

Png, who was previously hospitalised for heart disease, now helps Jenny out in the kitchen, on top of being a waiter and cashier.

The long hours have taken a toll on Jenny, who has reportedly fainted several times while working in the kitchen and even in front of customers.

"Once I was cooking in the kitchen, when everything went black and I collapsed. When I woke up, I continued cooking, because there were customers waiting for their food," Jenny told 8world.

Png said he tries to remain by his wife's side as much as possible in case of a collapse.

"She is my pillar. If she leaves, I don't think I can carry on, because she is really the heart and soul of this restaurant", he said.

Woody Family Peranakan House Cafe

12F Andrews Avenue

Operating hours

Lunch: 11:30am - 3pm

Dinner: 5pm - 11pm

Closed on Mondays

Top image from woodyfamilycafe/ TikTok & Chong Yu Rong/ Google