STEEPER RENT AT UNIT WHERE PREVIOUS TENANT “RAN AWAY”
This HV joint seats about 70 diners, a mix of air-conditioned and al fresco seats, versus the 50-plus seats at Balestier. Expect a vibe more in line with Treasure Toast’s minimalist and casual aesthetic than Balestier’s old-school feel.
“The rent is steep in this area,” Tan said, noting that he and his wife Thai, alongside their business partner, invested around S$200,000 to convert the space, which was formerly occupied by a mala hotpot shop called Spicysichuan SG 辣食你.
According to Tan, the previous operators “ran away” without notice, leaving the place vacant. Despite the previous tenant breaking the contract, he says they didn’t enjoy a rental discount. “We got the same rate as the previous tenant,” he added.
