Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 coffee shop closing suddenly 1 year after opening, stalls get 15 days' notice to vacate

Seven stalls in a coffee shop located in Ang Mo Kio received a notice from the owner at the end of March 2026 that operations at the premises was ceasing.

They had to pack up and vacate by Apr. 15, which was about two weeks' time.

Located at Block 215 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 at the ground floor of a block of flats, the coffee shop had only opened for just over a year, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Invested a lot in their businesses

The owner of a mookata stall, surnamed Lin (transliterated), told Shin Min that she had invested about S$40,000 in her business, and signed a two-year contract.

There was eight months left in her lease.

The manager of the stall Shiok Stack, surnamed Pan (transliterated), had moved in more recently, just six months before.

She had invested about S$10,000 at that time, and has not been able to break even yet, she said.

"We have already established a good relationship with some regular customers," she added. "Now that we have to close down, we are very sad to leave."

In an Instagram post, Shiok Stack shared that it was asked to leave, saying, "To be displaced so abruptly after only 6 months of building a home here isn’t just 'unfortunate' — it feels cruel."

The owner of a Korean food stall, who had also invested about S$10,000 in his business, reluctantly accepted the situation.

"I've been doing my own business for about 10 years, and I have never encountered something like this," he said. "Although I find it quite unfair, I have no other choice."

Not enough time to find a new space

Both Lin and Pan have been searching for a new space, but have been struggling with the short time they were given.

Lin shared that even after securing a place, she would still need time to move the equipment and renovate the space.

This move will affect all three of her employees.

Possible issue with outdoor refreshment area

According to Shiok Shack's post, the coffee shop has been sold, and the outdoor tables were being cleared out, in connection with regulations by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).

Several stall owners told Shin Min that the authorities had previously conducted inspections of the coffee shop, and subsequently removed the awning at the outdoor area.

Lin shared that, to her knowledge, the authorities found that the coffee shop did not have the required permit for an outdoor refreshment area (ORA).

The coffee shop owner, however, decided to close down the business rather than spend money to apply for a permit, according to Lin.

Pan expressed surprise that the coffee shop did not have the permit.

"The coffee shop does not have a lot of space, so if chairs and tables are not allowed to be set up outdoors, it simply cannot accommodate many customers," she explained.

Shin Min reported that it has reached out to the owner of the coffee shop, but they have declined to comment.

Top images from Sinfoodie's website and Shin Min