Singapore’s cafe scene has recently seen a notable change as two establishments, Cafe Bakeaholic and Juju, both located in Wheelock Place, Orchard Road, have ceased operations. These popular cafes were ventures of Charmaine Hui, the 26-year-old daughter of veteran Hong Kong actor Benz Hui, and wife to Singaporean Shane Sim.
Charmaine Hui’s recent marriage to Mr. Sim, who is active in the banking sector, was celebrated with wedding ceremonies in both Hong Kong in December and Singapore in January. However, recent developments indicate a shift in priorities for the young entrepreneur.
While the Wheelock Place outlets have closed their doors, fans of Cafe Bakeaholic will be relieved to know that the original outlet at Springside Green in Yishun remains open and serving its loyal customers.
Benz Hui, the 75-year-old acclaimed actor recognized for his iconic role in TVB’s “Line Walker” series, confirmed the closure of the two cafes in February to Shin Min Daily News. He explained the decision was primarily due to his daughter’s recent marriage and the couple’s decision to reside in Hong Kong. “She just got married and her husband is working in Hong Kong. It’s not a good idea for newly-weds to be living in separate places, so they have decided to stay in Hong Kong and will make plans later,” Benz Hui stated, highlighting the importance of family unity for the newlyweds.
The Cafe Bakeaholic outlet in Yishun, Singapore, continues to operate, offering a taste of Charmaine Hui’s culinary creations.
Charmaine Hui’s foray into Singapore’s F&B scene began with the first Cafe Bakeaholic in Springside Green in December 2020. Riding on its initial success, she expanded with the Wheelock Place branch a year later, followed by Juju. These ventures were supported by investments from her parents, Benz Hui and Angeli Lung.
In an earlier interview in January 2022, following the opening of the second Cafe Bakeaholic, Ms. Lung mentioned to Shin Min that recouping the initial investment from the first outlet was still underway. When questioned about the profitability of the cafes amidst the closures, Benz Hui offered a balanced perspective, “There are profits and losses. I think that’s okay.” Ms. Lung further elaborated that the closure allows Charmaine to join her husband in Hong Kong and spend more time with family, suggesting a family-oriented decision over purely business considerations.
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