Changi: The village of boom?

Ho Lian-Yi, The New Paper 21 Jan 09;

CHANGI Village has a reputation as a rustic enclave in urban Singapore.

And from the way things look, this little village tucked away in the far east of Singapore seems to be sheltered from the economic storm as well.

Especially on Saturday nights.

Then, the weekly night market comes alive, skirting the sidewalks of Blk 5 on Changi Village Road.

There, more than 30 street vendors hawk all sorts of goods - from brassieres, to seashell bracelets, to Vietnamese coffee cups.

And more importantly, the crowds are there - just take a look at the jam-packed car parks in the area.

'It's like there's no recession here at all,' said a happy Mr Lim Tow Soon, 55, chairman of Changi Village Merchants Association, who he said represents more than 50 shops, not including market stalls.

Mr Lim is also a shop owner, running Jacob's Cafe, his restaurant.

The place is so busy, Mr Lim said he is trying to get the police not to send ticket wardens on busy weekend nights.

He said shop owners saw business improve after the night market - called the Old 70s Night Market - started last June.

The organiser, who declined to be named, said since the night market started, she has seen no dip in business despite the economic downturn.

'If sales are not good, why would the vendors keep coming back?' she said.

She expects an even bigger crowd on 21 Feb, when they are holding an event called Peranakan Night at the night market.

They will be showcasing Peranakan food, culture and history.

One vendor, who wanted to be known only as Ramson, 42, was selling seashell bracelets from Australia, and New Zealand with his girlfriend.

How's business?

'It's like a roller-coaster, but so far so good,' he said.

But while others flounder, why is Changi Village thriving?

Tourists

Perhaps it is because, unlike heartland malls, Changi Village attracts people from all parts of Singapore.

Tourists, like those who stay in nearby Changi Village Hotel, too, are frequently seen walking and eating around the area.

Like Ms Judy Song, 24, a Korean student on transit to Australia.

Mr Lim said that apart from tourists, the area attracts many returning customers.

Nearby, having supper at an Indian Muslim restaurant was Mr Fabian Tan, 36, a senior manager. He was there with his wife, young daughter, and his friend, Mr Derrick Ng, 36, a manager.

Mr Tan lives in Sengkang and Mr Ng lives in Bedok. So why did Mr Tan travel all the way here just for supper?

'Last time, my kampung was in Changi,' he said. It was called Changi 14 Mile, and he lived there till he was in primary school.

'I think it has the village atmosphere,' he said. 'It's nostalgia, basically,' his wife added.

At nearby Tekong Seafood Restaurant, Ms Cecilia Tan, 46, is looking a little worn out. It's been a busy day for her.

She's one of the managers and the sister of the owners, and it was nearly a full house an hour before.

Most of their customers are repeat customers, she said, who are on first-name terms with the proprietors. Pointing to one group, she said they became acquainted with her because they were such frequent diners.

One of them, Mr William Ling, 53, a printing businessman, said: 'Every week I come 3 or 4 times to eat kampung fish.'

As for why people still come out in droves despite the poor economy, Mr Ling said: 'People save their money, but still spend on eating.'

But while customers have stayed up, the same couldn't be said of their bottom line. Ms Tan said profits were way down.

'My cook said he has cooked until he wants to die, no rest, but we earn so little.'

The reason? The price of goods like fish and rice have all surged, but not their prices.

Why not?

'We can't. We have all our old customers, we cannot raise our prices for them,' she said.