Has Holland Village Lost Its Mojo?

The neighbourhood's charm appears to have packed up and moved out, with new spots stealing the limelight and foot traffic on a diet.

- Hazel Tang

In October 2024, a party celebrating the 10th anniversary of Bynd Artisan—a home-grown brand known for handmade leather and paper gifts—was in full swing at its flagship store in Jalan Merah Saga.

The energy was unmistakable as guests mingled, admired the anniversary collection and lined up to personalize keepsakes with the craftsmen.

Beneath the conviviality, however, was a quiet sense of transition. After all, this was not just a celebration—it also marked the closing of a meaningful chapter in Holland Village and the beginning of new possibilities as the brand completed its lease in February 2025.

2024 was a year of change for Holland Village. Many well-known names, such as Thambi Magazine Store, ice cream parlour Sunday Folks and party paraphernalia shop Khiam Teck, had shuttered.

"It was bittersweet," says Bynd Artisan's co-founder Winnie Chan, 53. She and her husband James Quan set up shop in Chip Bee Gardens in 2015 during Singapore's 50th year of independence.

The store was a tribute to Ms Chan's grandfather, one of Singapore's pioneering hand bookbinders. His legacy lived on through the personal touches in the space—most notably, the towering Heidelberg letterpress.

For years, the iconic machine stood proudly outside the shop, drawing the curiosity of passersby who thronged the streets of Holland Village.

But foot traffic has dwindled over the years to a point where staying on no longer makes business sense.

On a typical weekday afternoon, fewer than 10 people walk past the storefront and only one might step inside. Even on weekends, the numbers barely improve.

What led to this decline in foot traffic and whether Holland Village can ever return to its former vibrancy are questions that business owners grapple with.

FROM KAMPUNG TO TRENDY HANGOUT