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The Bai Nian Food Court in Chai Chee, Singapore, has experienced a financial loss of approximately S$250,000 over the past seven months, despite the owners' determination to continue operating. Tommy Pang, a 29-year-old running the food court with his sister, shared the news on social media, expressing doubt about the viability of keeping the business afloat.

The primary challenge is the significant drop in foot traffic, particularly during weekdays, as people have become accustomed to remote work since the onset of the pandemic. Now, the food court is only 10% to 20% occupied at lunchtime, and even fewer customers visit during dinner hours. Consequently, tenants have abandoned their stalls before lease expiration, driven by the continuous financial drain.

This situation has left the food court struggling to remain profitable, with some ventures failing to generate a return despite substantial investments of time and money. Pang questions whether holding onto hope constitutes self-deception, yet he remains committed to finding ways to revitalize the business. To stimulate patronage, the food court has introduced free hot drinks with customers' main dishes from various brands, including Bai Nian, Shi Nian, Hae! Mee, Bao Zai Wang, The Soup Bowl, and Lao Ban Niang. The offer is available until September 30.