Violet Oon, Abry launch new dining and retail concepts at Temasek Shophouse
Apart from celebrity chef and lifestyle offerings, the expanded social impact hub on Orchard Road will feature more community and social spaces
[SINGAPORE] Peranakan food doyenne Violet Oon and lifestyle brand Abry are set to launch new retail concepts at the expanded Temasek Shophouse on Orchard Road.
Located in a row of historic buildings next to MacDonald House, the social impact hub has undergone a major revamp, linking four adjoining heritage shophouses and trebling its footprint to 6,400 square metres to accommodate more retail, community and social spaces.
Oon’s new cafe, Bibik Violet, will open on Sep 29, offering a casual, all-day dining experience at lower price points than her restaurants. The menu will feature local favourites such as nasi lemak, nyonya laksa and prawn mee, alongside nostalgic desserts like orange sugee cake and traditional kuehs. Patrons can also enjoy classic kaya toast and kopi – a nod to Singapore’s beloved coffee culture.
“Preserving culture through food is about memory, belonging and the stories that connect us. With Bibik Violet, we wanted to create a space that feels casual and inviting,” says chief executive officer Tay Yiming, whose team has transformed a wing of the Temasek Shophouse into a heritage-inspired eatery featuring salvaged early-1900s tiles, rattan furniture and vintage details.
Meanwhile, home-grown fashion and lifestyle brand Abry will debut Martket by Abry in late September. Abry – best known for its art-inspired gifts at The Gallery Store at National Gallery Singapore – employs seniors, women from underserved communities, and persons with disabilities.
“At Abry, our mission has always been to affirm the uniqueness of every individual and to open doors for those who are often overlooked,” notes founder Adriana Lim Escano.
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These openings join Foreword Coffee, the social enterprise cafe that employs people with autism, hearing disabilities and mental health conditions.
“Temasek Shophouse holds a special place in our journey,” says co-founder Lim Wei Jie. “When we were first given the opportunity to operate here in 2019, we had little track record.” Today, Foreword has grown into a nine-outlet chain.
Temasek Shophouse, which first opened as a social impact hub in 2019, is expanding to reflect Temasek Trust’s vision of creating a vibrant hub for collaboration, inclusion and impact in the heart of Orchard Road. Part market place and part manifesto for a more compassionate city, the expanded premises also include several co-working spaces for social impact organisations, a media studio for podcast and video production, and a large event and exhibition hall for community gatherings.
“We are on a journey to build a more connected and inclusive society – whether through food that honours tradition, retail that creates pathways for communities with fewer opportunities, or coffee that enables meaningful employment,” says general manager Yvonne Tay.
Temasek Trust is the philanthropic and community impact arm of Temasek Holdings. It supports a wide range of initiatives, from community and education to sustainability and healthcare.
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