Fans of the famous Western food stall, Wow Wow West, can now heave a sigh of relief. The celebrated hawker stall that has been serving delicious Western cuisine for over two decades is set to reopen in January 2024.
This news is a pleasant surprise to many, especially after the stall owners had announced they were looking for "genuine buyers" for personal reasons just a few months back.
A Brief Hiatus for Wow Wow West
The well-loved stall, nestled in ABC Brickworks hawker centre and run by hawker couple Eric Ng and Kathy Yu, had seen some short closures in September and October 2023. The reason? The couple needed a break, and Kathy's mother's health was deteriorating. Their eldest daughter and co-owner of Wow Wow West, Elizabeth Ng, shared this in an earlier interview.
The future of Wow Wow West seemed uncertain, with Elizabeth expressing concern that the stall might have to close permanently if they could not find a suitable owner.
Wow Wow West Promises a Comeback
However, in a Facebook announcement on Dec. 30, Wow Wow West promised to make a comeback on Jan. 16, 2024.
"We [would] like to update everyone that our stall is not closing... We are going to continue to bring our yummy western food to all of you next year!" the post read, dismissing any rumours about the stall closing for good.
Despite the physical stall being closed for months, Wow Wow West has been entertaining delivery orders since mid-December, operating online and fulfilling deliveries through its central kitchen.
Keeping the Legacy of Wow Wow West Alive
When contacted about the reopening, Elizabeth explained that the decision to continue running the stall was because they wanted to "keep the legacy going". Wow Wow West started in Raffles Institution around 1999, with Elizabeth and her sisters helping at the stall in their childhood. It then relocated to Bukit Merah View Market and Hawker Centre before settling in at its current location at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre — a journey spanning 25 years.
Elizabeth acknowledged that the warm responses from customers had played a part in their decision to reopen. A tribute video captured long queues of customers lining up at the stall, their satisfied expressions upon finishing their meals evidence of their love for Wow Wow West's food.
A Younger Team for Wow Wow West's Future
The future of Wow Wow West lies in the hands of a younger team, ready and eager to serve the stall's loyal customers. Elizabeth did not specify who exactly would be running the stall from January onwards but assured that the team is "younger and ready to roll".
Meanwhile, Kathy Yu will be preparing for two upcoming surgeries due to her health condition. Her health was what initially motivated the family to consider selling the business.
Conclusion
As we welcome the return of Wow Wow West, let's show our support by visiting the stall when it reopens or placing an order for delivery. Let's keep the legacy of this beloved hawker stall alive and continue to enjoy its delicious Western food. See you at the reopening of Wow Wow West on Jan. 16, 2024!
Wow Wow West is located at Block 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-133, Singapore 150006. They operate from 10:30 am to 2 pm and 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm daily, except Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.
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