New church at Orchard Towers help some businesses increase revenue by nearly 30%

Cornerstone Community Church held its first weekend services in its new Orchard Towers location in December 2025, and business owners are reporting a boost in foot traffic and sales, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Some business owners have even seen their revenue increased by nearly 30 per cent.

Bought retail space

Earlier reports mentioned that the church had bought over 19,000 sq ft, equivalent to six units, of retail space on the fourth floor of the mall.

One of the units was originally a disco pub converted from a cinema.

The church's presence was part of the building's management plan to reinvent the image of Orchard Towers, which has long been known as the "Four Floors of Whores".

A number of murders also took place there.

In 2023, all of their public entertainment outlets were slated to close.

Order food from cafe

Upon visiting the building, Shin Min observed that most retail units were occupied by the food and beverage industry.

Lin Huihui (transliterated), 39, and her mother Zhuo Meilan (transliterated), 66, run a pet-friendly cafe, Cafe Blossom.

Speaking to Shin Min, Lin said when they moved in around February 2025, about half of the units in the mall were vacant.

Noting that some shops were used as warehouses, she added: "Sometimes we don't have any customers at all on weekdays, and we can only rely on relatives, friends and regular customers for support."

Shin Min reported that after the church moved in, many people attended the weekend services, and the church would order food from the cafe for the Sunday morning service.

Business revenue, volume increase

Zhang Weilong (transliterated), the 40-year-old owner of a Thai restaurant at the basement, told Shin Min that foot traffic was not ideal when he moved in around September 2025.

"When the church was first established, a representative contacted us, saying that they hoped to support the surrounding catering industry," he said.

Noting that the church had booked the entire restaurant for a gathering, he said this increased the mall's foot traffic, and added that business volume has increased by about 10 per cent.

Shin Min reported that the owner of an Indonesian restaurant on the second floor who opened it in May 2025, said the mall was like a "ghost town" at the time and saw a daily turnover of only about S$300 or S$400.

She added: "Many people come down to eat after worship, and the number of customers and revenue has increased by nearly 30 per cent. After the church held an event in January this year, they also had a meal here."

A barber shop owner in his 50s, Bai Xuanying (transliterated), said some church members would visit the barber shop and make follow-up appointments, which increased business by nearly 30 per cent.

In addition, Shin Min reported that a shop that was previously a pub was occupied by a gym "chocoZap" in May 2026.

Environment has changed

Members of the public told Shin Min that there has been an increase in the number of food options and the environment is no longer "chaotic".

A 42-year-old man said he occasionally brings his son there for meals during the weekends and noted that it feels different compared to before when he seldom visited.

Having last visited two years ago, a 35-year-old woman said there are more things to eat now, and added that the place has changed "quite a bit".