Fans of Wow Wow West at ABC Brickworks Food Centre were devastated when the stall announced its plan to close if nobody bought the business.
Here’s a happy update for those who have been waiting for one.
On 29 December 2023, Wow Wow West revealed that it won’t be closing.
The stall will be reopening for business on 16 January 2024.
Stall Will Not be Closing Down
Wow Wow West shared the good news on its Facebook page.
The stall thanked its fans for being “such great supporters” and added, “We [would] like to update everyone that our stall is NOT closing. Yay!
“We are going to continue to bring our yummy Western food to all of you next year! Yay!
“So, see you soon on 16 January 2024!”
The photo attached to the post noted that the stall just needed “a longer break”.
Previously Announced Search for a Buyer
In October 2023, Wow Wow West announced that it was looking for someone to buy the business.
The stall is run by married couple Huang Jincai, 59, and Yu Yuyan, 61 (transliterated from Mandarin).
Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, their eldest daughter, Huang Shiya, noted that Mdm Yu suffered an aneurysm a few years ago, leading to a one-month hospitalisation.
Calling that period the “lowest point” for the family, Ms Huang said that the family started thinking about the couple’s retirement.
After deep consideration, the couple decided to sell the business and their recipe.
Unfortunately, the business had no familial successors, even though it was thriving.
Ms Huang said that she and her sister were happy with their careers.
Another sister who was helping out with the stall wanted to find her own path.
Ms Huang explained that her parents would get concerned if the stall was left to employees.
Thus, deciding to sell the business was the best one as the family wanted to prioritise Mdm Yu’s health.
At the time, Ms Huang indicated that if there were no suitable buyers, the family would “let go” of the business.
The History of Wow Wow West
According to Eatbook, Wow Wow West actually started as a canteen stall in Raffles Institution.
In fact, its name was coined by the students.
It’s no wonder the stall holds a special place in the hearts of many.
When the stall moved to ABC Brickworks Food Centre in 2007, it decided to keep its name in honour of its loyal students.
Difficult to Find Successors to Hawker Stalls
Unfortunately, it is difficult for hawker stalls to find successors.
In October 2023, it was reported that Piao Ji Fish Porridge, a stall located at Amoy Street Food and famous for its fish soup, was being sold for $800,000.
The elderly owner noted that he was selling his business due to his declining health.
With the growing concern about the decline of hawker culture in Singapore, it was announced in November 2020 that the hawkers succession scheme would be implemented.
The news was announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The scheme would match retiring hawkers with entrants to the industry.
It aimed to allow older hawkers to teach their recipes to aspiring entrants as their family members may not be interested in continuing the business.
Before the scheme, only hawkers who had their rents subsidised could give their stalls to non-relatives.
With the scheme, non-subsidised hawkers would be allowed to do so under relaxed rules.
A month after the initial announcement, NEA added that retiring hawkers would be given financial support to better aid them in coaching new hawkers taking over their stalls.
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