Old School Delights, a local eatery at The Esplanade mall, announced it will close permanently on June 8, 2026 [1, 2]. The restaurant first opened in 2010 on Upper Thomson Road before expanding to The Esplanade mall in 2017 [1, 2]. A City Square Mall outlet opened in 2018 but shut down after one year due to low customer turnout [1, 2].
Owner Koh Choon Chye, 55, attributed the closure to sharply rising food and energy costs combined with steadily declining visitors since the Covid-19 pandemic [1, 2]. He said rent has remained stable for nine years but the restaurant has been losing money intermittently for over a year [1]. Footfall has dropped 20% to 30% annually since the pandemic, driven in part by performances shifting from The Esplanade to Marina Bay Sands, reducing casual customer traffic [1, 2]. Koh added, "If there is no performance, no one comes here unless they specifically come as regular customers" [1].
During the worst periods, daily sales have dropped to as low as SGD 300, despite efforts to keep meal prices below SGD 20 [1]. Special events at The Esplanade, such as a March Disney cruise event and April's three-week "The Giant Dream" performance, provided brief boosts but could not reverse the trend [1].
The restaurant has become a nostalgic spot for many patrons, with customers sharing memories and gifting artwork to the owners as a token of appreciation [2]. Old School Delights is among several local eateries closing in mid-2026, including Encore by Rhubarb and Wing Seong Fatty’s [2].
In a Facebook post, Old School Delights said, "For the past few years, we have had the privilege of welcoming families, friends, students, office workers and many families through our doors" [2]. The closure marks the end of a 16-year run since its founding in 2010.
Encore by Rhubarb announced its closure after 12 years on May 26, 2026 [2]. The decisions reflect ongoing challenges faced by local food businesses amid shifting consumer patterns and rising costs.
Old School Delights will cease operations at The Esplanade mall after June 8, ending its presence there nearly a decade after its expansion in 2017 [1, 2].
