I took these photos of the Labrador Villa Food Centre in May 2008 after learning that URA is going to develop Labrador park. I had a feeling that this food centre is going to be wiped out for future development.
Unfortunately, I was right and just knew about it today.
Thanks for the makan memories through the years while I was passing by to go to Labrador park.
I'll miss drinking hot teh halia while walking in to Labrador park.:cry:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/sets/72157605131773911/
Farewell, Labrador Villa Food Centre
Tue, Sep 02, 2008
The Straits Times
By Ang Yiying
MADAM Cheng Ah Tee has spent the past 37 years serving coffee from a drinks stall at the Labrador Villa Food Centre.
But that came to an end on Sunday when the run-down hawker centre near the corner of Alexandra and Pasir Panjang roads served its last meal.
The institution, popular for what patrons call its cheap food and old-world charm, has been closed to make way for 'future redevelopment', said a National Environment Agency spokesman.
Other sources say it is making way for the Labrador Park MRT Station, which is due to open in 2010 or later.
Speaking in Mandarin, Madam Cheng, 65, the longest-staying tenant, said: 'I definitely won't be able to sleep for at least a month or two.'
While watching movers cart away the refrigerator from her stall, she added: 'It is really very good here. For over 30 years, there has never been any quarrels.'
The 37-year-old food centre had just 10 stalls, but it was popular with local workers. On the haunt's last day, regulars turned up in droves for a last taste of their favourite dishes and to snap photos of the place and the stall owners.
Some said earlier they were drawn to it because of its rustic look.
'Where else would you see wooden planks being used to shutter up stalls at closing time, wire mesh used as ceilings and bamboo sheets as protection from the rain?' said one patron who only wanted to be known as Mr Meldi.
When The Straits Times visited Labrador Villa Food Centre at noon yesterday, five of the 10 stalls were boarded up and the tenants of the remaining stalls were busy packing their things. Pots, plates, bowls and cutlery covered the tabletops.
Old-timers at the food centre said they were reluctant to leave.
Madam Hajjah Sa'diah Abdul Rahman, 56, was dabbing her eyes with tissue before sitting down to sort through letters in front of her 16-year-old stall, which sold Malay dishes and snacks.
'Sayang, sayang,' she said about the loss of the food centre, repeating the Malay word for 'love'.
Another tenant, Mr K. Manokaran, 45, who runs the other drinks stall there, has fond memories of the place dating back more than 30 years.
'My school was very nearby, so I came by to help my mother,' he said.
Some tenants are unsure if they would continue with their business. Others are still hunting for a new location. It would, however, be difficult to find an equally good location at the same rent, tenants said.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20080902-85425.html
Unfortunately, I was right and just knew about it today.
Thanks for the makan memories through the years while I was passing by to go to Labrador park.
I'll miss drinking hot teh halia while walking in to Labrador park.:cry:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/sets/72157605131773911/
Farewell, Labrador Villa Food Centre
Tue, Sep 02, 2008
The Straits Times
By Ang Yiying
MADAM Cheng Ah Tee has spent the past 37 years serving coffee from a drinks stall at the Labrador Villa Food Centre.
But that came to an end on Sunday when the run-down hawker centre near the corner of Alexandra and Pasir Panjang roads served its last meal.
The institution, popular for what patrons call its cheap food and old-world charm, has been closed to make way for 'future redevelopment', said a National Environment Agency spokesman.
Other sources say it is making way for the Labrador Park MRT Station, which is due to open in 2010 or later.
Speaking in Mandarin, Madam Cheng, 65, the longest-staying tenant, said: 'I definitely won't be able to sleep for at least a month or two.'
While watching movers cart away the refrigerator from her stall, she added: 'It is really very good here. For over 30 years, there has never been any quarrels.'
The 37-year-old food centre had just 10 stalls, but it was popular with local workers. On the haunt's last day, regulars turned up in droves for a last taste of their favourite dishes and to snap photos of the place and the stall owners.
Some said earlier they were drawn to it because of its rustic look.
'Where else would you see wooden planks being used to shutter up stalls at closing time, wire mesh used as ceilings and bamboo sheets as protection from the rain?' said one patron who only wanted to be known as Mr Meldi.
When The Straits Times visited Labrador Villa Food Centre at noon yesterday, five of the 10 stalls were boarded up and the tenants of the remaining stalls were busy packing their things. Pots, plates, bowls and cutlery covered the tabletops.
Old-timers at the food centre said they were reluctant to leave.
Madam Hajjah Sa'diah Abdul Rahman, 56, was dabbing her eyes with tissue before sitting down to sort through letters in front of her 16-year-old stall, which sold Malay dishes and snacks.
'Sayang, sayang,' she said about the loss of the food centre, repeating the Malay word for 'love'.
Another tenant, Mr K. Manokaran, 45, who runs the other drinks stall there, has fond memories of the place dating back more than 30 years.
'My school was very nearby, so I came by to help my mother,' he said.
Some tenants are unsure if they would continue with their business. Others are still hunting for a new location. It would, however, be difficult to find an equally good location at the same rent, tenants said.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20080902-85425.html
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