Reimondo Congee Hawker Closes Supper Joint After $280K Loss, Opens Wonton Mee Stall Called Sure Come Back
When we last spoke to hawker-turned-entrepreneur Raymond Tan in March, the 34-year-old had just opened his first standalone casual restaurant Super Supper in Little India. Bolstered by the popularity and media attention for his Reimondo Congee stalls, which included the original outlet at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre and a branch at Timbre+ One North, Raymond had been hopeful about replicating the success of his hawker concept at his largest venture yet.
Instead, the first-time restaurateur found himself fighting a hard battle to keep the Western-Asian fusion 100-seat joint afloat. “We just couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. We could not even make enough money to pay wages,” he tells 8days.sg over the phone. Raymond decided to close the eatery in late August after only five months of operation.
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“Parking was the biggest problem”
He says business was untenable largely due to its location. “Parking was the biggest problem. I’ve had customers who wanted to come but were unable to find parking space even after driving around for 20 minutes,” he shares. Super Supper is located in a two-storey shophouse along Desker Road, where the nearest parking spots are limited to a handful of roadside lots.
The lack of steady patronage crippled the business. “The overheads and rental costs were too high. I had to top up with my own money [to pay my staff],” he says. Super Supper employed around six staff to work in shifts at the restaurant, which opened till 3am daily.
He estimates the total losses to be around $280K, including an initial capital of $200K – most of it came from a personal loan. “Thankfully, the landlord understood my situation and didn’t ask for compensation [for the early termination of lease] or reinstatement of the place,” he says.
Admits to having “gambler’s mentality”
Raymond spoke candidly about how his personal flaw contributed to the closure as well. “My [previous] downfall was because of gambling and I brought that gambler’s mentality into my business. I wanted to make a bigger bet to get a bigger return,” he confesses.
In his 20s, Raymond earned his first million from running a car rental biz and a car repair workshop. He soon gambled away his fortune and even ended up in debt due to his addiction. “The [most recent] experience has shown me how I’ve always been looking for shortcuts in life. I made a bad decision and jumped into opening a big eatery too quickly without proper planning. I’m very realistic now and will no longer take risks like how I used to.”
Had suicidal thoughts
In addition to his financial woes, the troubled towkay found himself battling suicidal thoughts at one point. “Everything was uncertain and [my problems] seemed so big and overwhelming. I had a suicidal moment when I thought of ending it all. I called out for help from God, who showed me that even if I chose the easy way out, someone else like my wife or my mum will still have to settle the problem. My loved ones would have been burdened by my cowardly escape. That was what motivated me to be honest about my situation and face it [directly],” shares Raymond, who is Christian.
He is especially grateful for the support from his wife, Vivian, 33. “I feel embarrassed because when I opened Super Supper, I wanted to give my wife a better life. Instead of making money, now we owe money.” Raymond and Vivian have two children – Vera, 10, and Vernon, 7. “[Instead of blaming me] she told me she’s glad that this happened while we’re in our mid-30s. I cannot afford to make a mistake like this when I’m older.”
Why open new noodle stall and not focus on congee biz?
Two weeks ago, Raymond opened the auspiciously named Sure Come Back Wanton Mee at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, where his first – and remaining – Reimondo Congee stall is located. The hawker closed his Timbre+ One North outlet in late August as it was making “a slight loss” due to dwindling footfall from nearby offices.
Why is he opening a new stall instead of focusing on Reimondo Congee? “If I go back, [my staff who is cooking at the stall] will lose his job. That stall is able to break even and make a bit of money, so I’ll just leave it be. I also realised [seafood] congee is not an everyday staple, that’s why I thought of selling wonton mee [which may bring in a bigger profit] instead,” he says. This was a full circle moment for Raymond, who kick-started his hawker career with a wonton mee stall in a Macpherson coffee shop about seven years ago. Business did not take off then and he closed the shop in 2017. “I want to try to perfect the dish this time. To save on manpower cost, I’m the only one doing everything here. I have to draw an income from this stall and bring in a profit to repay what I owe,” he shares.
He has invested about $10K to set up Sure Come Back Wanton Mee. Most of it came from an entrepreneurial fund by the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Limited (ISCOS), an agency that facilitates the reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Raymond has served time in prison in his younger days for offences including shoplifting and house-breaking, and found out about the fund through his volunteer work (he has been mentoring troubled youths through programmes organised by Prison Fellowship Singapore and Singapore Prison Service).
Biz is slow at the moment, as Raymond has not done any publicity for the new stall. However, he says: “I’m thankful that feedback has been quite positive [so far]. I’ve noticed the same customer returning three times within a week!”
House-smoked char siew at Sure Come Back Wanton Mee
The stall offers duck egg noodles imported from Malaysia (“it has a better texture and flavour”, says the hawker) with house-smoked char siew that Raymond prepares with electric smokers left over from Super Supper. “It’s to continue my passion for smoked meats. I also didn’t want to spend any more on new equipment,” he admits.
Prices start from $3.50 for a basic bowl of wonton mee. Side dishes like deep-fried tiger prawn rolls and fresh veggies are available too.
Sure Come Back Wanton Mee is located at #02-24, Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, 110 Pasir Ris Central, S519641. Open daily except Wed, 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-8.30pm. Facebook.
If you or someone you know is having difficulties coping, here are some numbers to call:
Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1800 221 4444
Institute of Mental Health’s Helpline: 6389 2222
Singapore Association of Mental Health Helpline: 1800 283 7019
If someone you know is at immediate risk, call 24-hour emergency medical services.
Photos: Alvin Teo & Sure Come Back Wanton Mee
No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.
