Ottie Pancakes: Cursed Location?

Since, this Ottie Pancakes stall was established at the beginning of July, I’ve been very sceptical about their proposed opening date. Not just because it seemed very ambitious for them to install all the necessary equipment, and deliver the ingredients for their product within such a short time. The Noowegian Sushi stall next door took more than two months to set-up. But also, because that particular space seems cursed. Will Ottie Pancakes survive? They have to open first.

Before COVID

Prior to COVID, the main foyer of Punggol Plaza was used for a variety of activities. There were a lot of temporary vendors, selling a collection of products including books and different types of clothing. They’d set up on Monday morning, and then vacate the premises on the following Sunday evening.

The space was also used for events. I recall Christmas events, and a kids’ pageant. However, the area was small – having maybe 50-70 people capacity – which was not ideal. After the construction of the Punggol21 facilities, I believe most of those sorts of activities were moved to that larger space.

At that time, there was only one ‘permanent’ stall: a phone shop. I say permanent, but it really looked like all the other temporary vendors. They just never left.

During COVID

Then, a few months into COVID, they did. The stall had been closed during the Circuit Breaker, so it wasn’t overly surprising. They must have been haemorrhaging money the whole time, and I suspect they weren’t making much profit even before the lock-down.

With them gone, and no temporary vendors allowed due to the COVID restrictions, the entire open space was left free. Which was wonderful.

The airy space of the Punggol Plaza Foyer — Punggol Plaza Foyer

Entering and leaving the mall became almost stress-free. Vastly different from how it was when the space was used normally.

With the central space utilised, customers were channelled into two narrow corridors on either side. These corridors each allowed about four people to stand abreast between the shops on that side, and the vendors/event in the middle. Very often you needed to jostle your way through the crowds, that were far too busy gossiping with one another to notice the queue of people struggling through. So it was great during COVID to just stroll through the middle. Completely, care free.

After COVID

Then the COVID restrictions lifted, and the centre management re-evaluated their plans. Instead of returning to temporary stalls, they established permanent ones, which restricted the space even more.

Some of these new stalls have proven to be quite successful: the two dessert stores have been there for a few years now and appear to be doing well. On the other hand, the combined ice-cream and coffee place crashed and burnt within six months.

Perhaps part of their failure was due to them failing to utilise their products in a deliciously efficient manner. Say like, in an affogato, an espresso coffee with a scoop of ice-cream – usually vanilla – in it. They actually refused to make one when I asked them. It still boggles my mind. They were also selling coffee for about double the price that Koufu (just around the corner) was.

Similarly, the Noowegian Sushi place also seems to be struggling. It only opened recently and have already reduced the times they are open. When they are open they don’t attract too many customers, so they might not be around much longer.

I don’t know the actual reasons why either of these stalls seeming failure (other than them not generating enough cashflow), but amongst the reasons could be the curse. You see, ever since the phone shop shut down no stall has been successful¹ in that same space.

But back to Ottie Pancakes. They’re a local company, selling traditional Min Jiang Kueh (MJK) – along with other treats. The company has only been trading for a short period (less than a year), and they’ve already established eight outlets (plus the new one at Punngol Plaza). So, they seem well-prepared for a quick launch, but within thirty days does seem overly-confident.

Will they survive, or will the curse claim another victim? I’m not overly hopeful, especially with one day until the end of July, and no sign of the stall opening. If they do miss the designated start date, it’s hardly an auspicious start. But that’s all part of The Punggol Life.

I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.

^{Punggol Plaza Foyer image – By User:Sengkang – Own work, Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=553491}