A pop-up that stayed around, Japanese cafe Omotesando Koffee will launch into Singapore in June, at the new Downtown Gallery mall.
Serving coffee and its signature cube-shaped custard cake in a minimalist setting, Omotesando Koffee started as a pop-up concept in the Shibuya district of Tokyo in 2011. It closed four years later – only because the building in which it was situated closed for demolition.
However, it popped up again this year as Koffee Mameya, at the same site.
Meanwhile, owner Eiichi Kunitomo had opened a second shop, Toranomon Koffee, in Toranomon Hills in 2014.
The brand’s arrival in Singapore is the result of a partnership between Omotesando Koffee director/franchising owner Russell Stradmoor, who was born in Hong Kong, and Junny Lee, founder of The Work Project, a Singapore co-working space company with a branch in Hong Kong. The company occupies the entire fourth floor of 20,000 sqft (1858 sqm) at Downtown Gallery.
An Omotesando Koffee branch was opened by the partners at Wan Chai in Hong Kong 11 months ago.
Stradmoor, who grew his friendship with Kunitomo into a partnership, says Singapore had always been on the radar for the brand’s expansion – even before its opening in Hong Kong.
“There is a list of major world cities printed on our coffee cups, and Singapore is one of them. We know that Singaporeans expect the best when it comes to food and coffee. It will be a challenge for us, but an interesting one.”
Singapore’s menu is still in the works, and while largely similar to the offerings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, will have exclusive items, he says.
Other tenants of Downtown Gallery include a farmer’s market by The Providore, boutique fitness studio GuavaLabs and a pre-school run by Mulberry Learning Centre. Downtown Gallery is part of integrated development OUE Downtown, which comprises retail and office spaces as well as serviced residences.
“I think the coffee culture in Singapore now is where Japan was probably two or three years ago,” says Stradmoor. “A new wave of speciality and artisan coffee shops is definitely emerging, and we hope Omotesando Koffee can have a positive impact on Singapore’s coffee culture.”
