Hawker takes over Bedok coffee shop at S$30,000 a month; cuts stall rents by 30% to draw vendors

Low Boon Chuan took over a coffee shop in Bedok North on 1 October in an effort to revive the premises that had seen several stalls sit vacant for months.

According to a report by Shin Min Daily News, the 39-year-old had operated Boon Keng Road Fish Head Bee Hoon at Block 416 Bedok North Ave 2 for almost twenty years.

Three neighbouring stalls had remained vacant for half a year, a situation Low attributed to high rent and competition.

He told Shin Min that the previous coffee shop owner “seemed uninterested” in managing the business, prompting him to step in to safeguard the location he had worked in for so long.

Low took over the entire premises for more than S$30,000 per month in rent.

He renamed the shop Lau Ka Kopitiam, using the Mandarin version of his surname.

To attract new vendors, Low offered a 30 per cent discount on stall rent.

He said he would not raise stall rents as long as the overall premises rent remained unchanged.

Nearly two months after the takeover, he secured four new stalls.

They include a satay stall and a Western food stall, broadening the coffee shop’s food options.

Low said his two decades serving residents in the area helped him understand local preferences.

This experience guided his efforts to revitalise the space.

He invested more than S$10,000 to renovate the coffee shop.

Improvements included repainting walls, installing better lighting, and putting up a television to enhance customer comfort.

Besides his fish soup stall, Low now also runs the drinks stall.

These combined businesses help him support daily operations and aim for a break-even point rather than large profits.

He told Shin Min that he does not seek significant earnings.

“Maintaining the business” is enough to satisfy him.

The opening of Lau Ka Kopitiam drew strong community support.

Around 100 flower bouquets arrived from Low’s friends to congratulate him.

According to Shin Min, Goh Pei Ming, the Member of Parliament for Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, attended the opening to show support.

Nursing homes that receive food from Low’s stall also sent bouquets.

Low’s community engagement began long before taking over the coffee shop.

After assuming control of the fish soup stall from his mother in 2011, he started a meal donation effort in 2017.

A report by The Straits Times noted that his stall has regularly delivered fish porridge to 15 nursing homes and senior centres with help from his friends.
In 2021, he received the Friends of Community Care Award for his contributions.

Low also promotes kindness through a pay-it-forward initiative at his stall.

According to diners online, the scheme allows customers to purchase coupons that provide free meals to people in need.

His efforts to sustain the coffee shop, support residents, and continue service to seniors reflect his long-standing connection to the Bedok community.

For Low, the revival of Lau Ka Kopitiam represents both a business endeavour and a continuation of his broader commitment to community care.