Singaporean actress Jeanette Aw, 46, will close the physical outlet of her patisserie, Once Upon A Time, located at 35 Hamilton Rd.
The Le Cordon Bleu-trained baker announced the closure in a YouTube video uploaded on 16 Nov titled “Goodbye Hamilton”. The shop will vacate its shophouse unit in December 2025, marking the end of almost five years at the location.
Aw launched Once Upon A Time in May 2021. The patisserie featured a rotating, pre-order only menu of cakes and pastries, with the unit serving both as a pick-up point and her creative studio.
“I have a very special feeling in my heart. I’m about to close this chapter at Hamilton, and I will be here until December,” she said in the video filmed at the store.
She reflected on her time at the space. “I still remember the bits and pieces here. The renovations, the day it opened, and every customer who has walked into Once Upon A Time in the past five years. I received so much love, so thank you.”
Aw hinted that the closure is not the end for Once Upon A Time. “Once everything slowly takes shape, I will definitely share it with everyone, so you must continue to follow Once Upon A Time,” she said.
The patisserie also ventured beyond Singapore’s shores, with Aw running a series of pop-ups across Japan in 2024 and 2025.
When celebrating the patisserie’s fourth birthday in May, Aw shared on Instagram that her F&B journey “hasn’t always been easy”. She wrote about “joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments” and expressed gratitude for “every soul who’s been part of this story”.
Escalating Rental Costs Drive Closure as New Location Takes Shape
In response to Mothership‘s queries, Aw stated that “escalating rental costs” is the key challenge she faced.
“I’ve no intention of committing to rising rents, and that’s a major factor in my decision,” she said.
Despite the closure, Aw does not feel sad about leaving the Hamilton Road space. “Although I’m leaving this space, I don’t feel sad. Instead, I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter. I’m very, very excited about the new plan,” she said.
Once Upon A Time will move to a new space where renovations are currently ongoing.
More details about the new location will be revealed in time to come.
Following the December closure, the patisserie will not operate online. Aw will focus on preparations for her Valentine’s pop-up in Japan.
“The December sale is one to catch,” she said. “The next one may be a long wait.”
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