Hup Lee, one of the last few old-school coffee shops in Singapore, will close on Aug 22. The shophouse has been sold and its co-owner Foo Mui Ya, 68, will be retiring. The coffee shop in Jalan Besar is known for kaya toast grilled over a charcoal fire, soft-boiled eggs and traditional sock-brewed coffee and tea. Madam Foo’s son, Mr Cheong Mun Loong, 34, told ST that one reason for the business closing down is his mother’s deteriorating health. The shophouse, which was co-owned by Madam Foo and her younger brother had been sold in mid-May for an undisclosed sum. Mr Cheong said his uncle had wanted to sell the shophouse for the past few years, but there had been no buyers. He believes the new owners will use the space for a restaurant. The closure of the Sungei Road flea market across the road last month has also affected business. Hup Lee has been operating since the 1950s and was started by Mr Cheong’s great-grandparents, who owned the shop space. They passed it to Madam Foo and her brother in 1976.... Continue Reading