August 07, 2002, HAIRDRESSING salons and ornamental fish shops are rapidly taking up the empty shop space in Housing Board neighbourhoods left behind by bubble tea enterprises that have run out of steam.
In January, at the height of the craze, there were up to 80 such shops in each of the 103 HDB neighbourhoods.
Now, however, some of these centres are looking at as many as 15 hairdressing salons each, about half of which are new.
The competition, coupled with the recession, has forced a number to snip prices to S$6 (RM13.20) for a haircut from about S$12 (RM26.40) upwards.
Meanwhile, about 135 new pet shops have sprung up in the first half of this year, taking over other types of businesses.
Changing trades has become easier now that the HDB has relaxed its rules this month. Shop tenants can now apply for a change and get it approved the same day.
Cindy Lim, 36, who opened Bloom Unisex Hairdressing at Block 453 of the neighbourhood centre five years ago, said: It’s very competitive now. In the last two years, about six salons have opened here.
The shopkeepers say the low cost of opening such a shop has prompted many to enter the business.
While there are not as many ornamental fish shops in neighbourhood centres, there has been a surge in their numbers. Many are cashing in on the craze for owning flowerhorn cichlid or luohan fish.
Meanwhile, veteran shopkeepers believe these two trends will not last.
Chua Ser Kheng, chairman of the Marine Parade Merchants’ Association, said: Perhaps, in a few months, you’ll be seeing another new trend.
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