A quick show of hands — was anyone actually waiting anxiously for Newton Food Centre to reopen? Anyone besides tourists, that is. ‘Cause the tourist trap late-night eatery has just flung open its stall doors after three months of upgrading works. It now boasts a cleaner and slightly posher look, as well as the occasional menu item price hike.
New flooring, a higher roof for ventilation, spacious aisles, more seats and revamped toilets are just some of the improved facilities customers get to enjoy. The space is also more open and brighter, and utilizes energy-efficient LED lighting indoors.
As for the hawker stalls, most remain unchanged, although several have increased their prices. For example, Bee Heng Popiah now sells its rolls for $2.20, up from $2 in the past, and XO Minced Meat Noodle charges $0.50 more for each bowl of noods.
Former regulars and workers from nearby offices have already started flocking to the hawker centre for their dose of oyster omelette, chicken wings, seafood, kway chap, satay and Hokkien mee. It seems the crowds may not be as sizeable as in the past, but perhaps the food centre just needs time for word to spread.
