Another one bites the dust at Holland Village as Japanese restaurant Umi Nami announced its impending closure in an Instagram post on Monday (July 28).
In the post, the restaurant thanked customers for their support and stated that its menu and operating hours may change as it prepares for closure, and more updates will be available on the establishment’s Instagram and TikTok pages.
“Thank you for being part of our story. We hope to see you one last time before we close,” the announcement wrote.
Umi Nami was started in 2017 by 44-year-old Valerie Tang and her ex-husband, who is currently running Ryo Sushi at Orchid Hotel.
Speaking with AsiaOne, Valerie attributed the closure to rental costs, declining footfall, increased competition from nearby establishments like One Holland Village and the economic downturn.
Valerie added that the final day of operations will be at the end of September, or possibly earlier if the landlord manages to find a new tenant.
The decision to shutter was made three months ago, and she plans on taking a break, spending more time with her children and going back to school.
The news comes after two F&B icons in the neighbourhood had announced their closure this year.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, which had been running at Holland Village for two decades, closed down on June 30 after their lease expired.
A spokesperson had told AsiaOne that they were evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore as part of their ongoing business strategy.
Wala Wala Cafe Bar, which has been in Holland Village since 1993, had also announced that they would be concluding their business by the end of the year after their lease is up, with end-August being the earliest possible date for their last day of operations.
After the closure announcement, Umi Nami also reposted a reel from F&B consultant and growth strategist Khoo Keat Hwee, who’s also the former owner of the now-shuttered Japanese eatery chain Mentai-Ya as he lamented the difficulties that F&B businesses in Singapore face such as high rent and low footfall.
On these recent closures in Holland Village, Valerie said: “There are big boys who can survive but small ones like ours are hard to pivot due to increasing costs.”
F&B businesses aren’t the only ones pulling out of the neighbourhood.
Some other long-standing tenants have also shuttered their businesses in recent years, such as the iconic Thambi Magazine Store in May 2024 after 80 years and family-run furniture store Lim’s Holland Village in November 2024 after 50 years.
Their departures have sparked conversations regarding lost heritage and whether Holland Village is losing its lustre.
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carol.ong@asiaone.com
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