Fans of traditional Hong Kong pastries have one less place to get their fix in the Lion City. As of April 24, the famed Kee Wah Bakery officially closed its last remaining permanent store in Singapore. The store located at ION Orchard was known for its legendary mooncakes, wife cakes, authentic cookie gift boxes, and buttery egg rolls. Unfortunately, the historic brand shared a heartfelt farewell message on its social media pages, marking the end of its 5-year brick and mortar presence in Singapore. Here’s what we know about the closure.
Why did the iconic Hong Kong bakery close its doors?
Founded in Hong Kong in 1938 as a humble neighbourhood grocery, Kee Wah Bakery grew into an international powerhouse with a massive global footprint. Before opening its permanent ION Orchard flagship in 2021, the bakery had spent two decades wooing local crowds through incredibly popular seasonal pop-ups.
Meanwhile, the brand had a second location at Jewel Changi Airport for a short time but it closed. The exact reasons for this complete retail withdrawal from Singapore remain undisclosed by the management.
Despite the sudden closure, the bakery assured its loyal fan base that the departure isn’t permanent. In a moving tribute addressed ”To our dream Singapore,” the team thanked patrons for the cherished connections built over the years, noting that every returning customer and nostalgic smile was the driving force behind their craft.
Thankfully, local pastry lovers won’t be entirely deprived of their favourites as Kee Wah confirmed they will be returning to Singapore for seasonal pop-ups at Takashimaya during the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year.
