The end of an era for Teo Heng

[StreetFight3r]

https://mothership.sg/2021/01/teo-heng-ktv-closing-down/

Crippled by the loss of revenue since the circuit breaker in 2020, home-grown karaoke chain Teo Heng KTV is finally drawing its shutters for good.

Despite the commencement of Phase 3 offering a small glimmer of hope for businesses in the nightlife industry, those hopes were dashed when the nightlife reopening pilot for nightclubs and karaoke outlets was deferred.

The government announced on Jan. 20 that the pilot would be put on hold until further notice due to the rise in community cases.

Leaving industry for good

This proved a huge blow for Teo Heng.

The karaoke chain had stated previously that they would pivot their business by converting their outlets into spaces to work, study and gather.

But their hopes were dashed since the reopening pilot programmes were on hold.

With the latest development, Teo Heng could not find a guaranteed stream of revenue and they could no longer defer their rents further, Teo told Mothership.

Teo told Mothership that the management and landlords are not confident that the entertainment industry would survive the pandemic.

They thus made the very difficult decision of leaving the industry "for good".

Teo Heng KTV closing all remaining outlets, exiting industry after 31 years

They've tried their best to sustain their business and support their staff for the past year.

Crippled by the loss of revenue since the circuit breaker in 2020, home-grown karaoke chain Teo Heng KTV is finally drawing its shutters for good.

Teo Heng was first forced to cease operations in March 2020. Despite sustaining around S$500,000 losses each month since their closure, the karaoke chain fought to retain their staff, and continued to pay them their salaries in full.

The decades-old business cherishes its staff, as director Jean Teo previously told Mothership, and treats them like family.

Teo said the company would rather close more outlets than retrench any of its staff.

Already, Teo Heng has closed seven of its outlets, including their very first outlet at Katong Shopping Centre.

Despite the commencement of Phase 3 offering a small glimmer of hope for businesses in the nightlife industry, those hopes were dashed when the nightlife reopening pilot for nightclubs and karaoke outlets was deferred.

The government announced on Jan. 20 that the pilot would be put on hold until further notice due to the rise in community cases.

Leaving industry for good

This proved a huge blow for Teo Heng.

The karaoke chain had stated previously that they would pivot their business by converting their outlets into spaces to work, study and gather.

But their hopes were dashed since the reopening pilot programmes were on hold.

With the latest development, Teo Heng could not find a guaranteed stream of revenue and they could no longer defer their rents further, Teo told Mothership.

Teo told Mothership that the management and landlords are not confident that the entertainment industry would survive the pandemic.

They thus made the very difficult decision of leaving the industry "for good".

Teo said:

"It's not fair to the landlords too, I can't give them the guarantee to pay the rent promptly [sic].

Now we have to settle our outstanding rental payment from August 2020 to February 2021 to the landlords. If not we'll be sued."

In the meantime, Teo said she hoped that the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Law would be able to help mediate with their landlords, as she hopes to end things on a good note with them.

"No regrets"

And it seems choosing to close the family-run business has weighed heavily on Teo's heart.

During the call with Mothership, Teo choked up at several moments and sounded to be in tears.

"The day we wanted to reopen [to pivot our business] became the day we had to close for good," Teo said of the day the reopening pilot was deferred.

She added that she felt that now was the best time to shut down their business and recoup their losses.

Teo was also concerned about the staff and their livelihoods, and wanted to "settle [their closure] early [as] it's the best for everyone".

She added that their staff can either find new jobs or return to their home countries.

Teo also hoped that once the pandemic is over, Teo Heng would be able to make a comeback.

"We trust the government, that they are trying their best to salvage everything, but public health is the most important," she said.

And despite the "rollercoaster ride" that the business endured in the past year during the Covid-19 crisis, Teo said that she had "no regrets".

Edited January 21, 2021 by StreetFight3r

[StreetFight3r]

[Jamesc]

24 minutes ago, StreetFight3r said:

https://mothership.sg/2021/01/teo-heng-ktv-closing-down/

I never been.

Is it like 10 A Man?

[Ody_2004]

When I read the title i thot which minister no more..

[13177]

Hopefully they can make a comeback after everything is over.

[mersaylee]

My go-to place during the off peak hours and “sing” (prono:scream) my lungs out and go home maciam pressure released via a valve...so TH was like my BOV or BBV if I may 😁

[minion]

Nice place. Going to miss it

[StreetFight3r]

While the founders of Teo Heng KTV previously told CNA Insider and Mothership that they are "closing for good", the chain’s director Jean Teo highlighted on Jan. 21 evening that exiting from the industry is a "temporary move".

Teo Heng KTV: Exiting industry is temporary & negotiation with landlords is ongoing

Keeping two outlets at Ci Yuan and Tampines West CCs if possible.

Covid-19 pandemic is not going away anytime soon.

The recent spike in community cases has set the local entertainment industry back once again as reopening pilot programmes have come to a halt.

Local favourite family-friendly karaoke chain, Teo Heng KTV, is among the affected operators.

Will be back when they can

While the founders of Teo Heng KTV previously told CNA Insider and Mothership that they are "closing for good", the chain’s director Jean Teo highlighted on Jan. 21 evening that exiting from the industry is a "temporary move".

Teo assured long-time supporters that "it's a matter of time" that they will make a comeback.

In the meanwhile, they will try to minimise their losses to last through this period.

Ongoing negotiations

Teo updated Mothership via a call on Jan. 21 evening that they are trying to hold on to two outlets located at Ci Yuan Community Club and Tampines West Community Club respectively.

As these two outlets are located at CCs, their rents are more manageable and hope the People’s Association will give their support.

The Ci Yuan outlet was already prepared for the reopening pilot programme where the rooms were supposedly converted to places to work, study or gather.

For other outlets, they will be negotiating with the landlords.

[Sosaria]

It's really sad to end up betting wrongly, holding and not folding earlier.

If they had been in the massage spa business they would be making a killing since 19 June till now , with geylang continue to be closed indefinitely

Some ktv also doing very well by pivoting to become "bistro" F&B and retraining the GRO to become waitress.

[Windwaver]

I thought still left 2 branches?

 

[Atonchia]

Katong Shopping Centre was memorable..... 

Use to go there after school to play Nintendo then later Sega at level one..Pro Wrestling then Contra..... 

If I remember correctly, Teo Heng use to supply speakers, systems and stuff and their retail was at 2nd floor.... that was before they open their 1st KTV at level one corner above the food court with the popular chicken rice. 

[Apple-Tree]

39 minutes ago, Atonchia said:

Katong Shopping Centre was memorable..... 

Use to go there after school to play Nintendo then later Sega at level one..Pro Wrestling then Contra..... 

If I remember correctly, Teo Heng use to supply speakers, systems and stuff and their retail was at 2nd floor.... that was before they open their 1st KTV at level one corner above the food court with the popular chicken rice. 

I only remembered I go played Jackpot and Horse racing after school at Oceadon Cinema there ....... IN UNIFORM .....

[Atonchia]

Katong Shopping also have their fair share of mess/"membership club" 

20cents "Beh Ki" 😅😅😅

Edited January 21, 2021 by Atonchia

[Mustank]

11 hours ago, mersaylee said:

My go-to place during the off peak hours and “sing” (prono:scream) my lungs out and go home maciam pressure released via a valve...so TH was like my BOV or BBV if I may 😁

Hey me too!

[13177]

11 hours ago, Sosaria said:

It's really sad to end up betting wrongly, holding and not folding earlier.

If they had been in the massage spa business they would be making a killing since 19 June till now , with geylang continue to be closed indefinitely

Some ktv also doing very well by pivoting to become "bistro" F&B and retraining the GRO to become waitress.

Maybe if they fold earlier, they might not lose so much? Teo Heng is one of the better KTV, their rates are reasonable and patrons also allowed to bring in their own food and drinks. I will missed this KTV.

[Dleodleo]

Sad for them .... although I dun sing karaoke.

Heard that they are very family friendly, dun serve alcohol.

 

[Enye]

14 hours ago, mersaylee said:

My go-to place during the off peak hours and “sing” (prono:scream) my lungs out and go home maciam pressure released via a valve...so TH was like my BOV or BBV if I may 😁

i peasant....冲凉房歌王

free one...

🤣

[mersaylee]

54 minutes ago, Enye said:

i peasant....冲凉房歌王

free one...

🤣

Use own mic type of karaoke King

... and of course I was referring to the shower spray 😁