Thu, 8 May, 2008
I’ve noticed that my blog has been getting a lot of hits for the search terms “Oriental City” and “closing” so I’ll just make a quick update. It looks like most of the vendors have been told to close their doors for the final time on June 1. I’m not sure if they even know where they’re going to go.
I even got post from Utsuwa, the Japanese tableware vendors, and it looks like they’re closing for good - and so they’re currently having a clearance sale.
Thu, 8 May, 2008 at 22:05
I got Utsuwa’s letter too… it made me so sad!
It was a more than a year ago when I was researching about the closure for my university journalism course. Talking to all the store owners and elderly staff that day was heartbreaking. I wish I lived closer so I could visit it more before it shuts.
Fri, 9 May, 2008 at 08:14
I just remembered hearing that Utsuwa would be moving somewhere else… but I don’t know how that panned out. The other vendors were supposedly also guaranteed an interim period where they could set up shop somewhere else, with the promise that they could move back in once the development was finished (but only 1/3 of the original space would be allocated to them) but I think that plan was also axed.
Sat, 10 May, 2008 at 14:12
I just got back from lunch at Oriental City and it didn’t seem like the food court people knew where they were going, with only a few weeks left. Many of them said if we left them our info, they would email us when they found a permanent home (one of the thai places told us to email to enquire, yummyyummythai at gmail dot com if my notes are correct). A few other shops seemed to be moving to the Wing Yip complex near Staples Corner, which is currently under construction - wouldn’t it be great if everything just relocated there? Here’s hoping…
Anyway, if you hear anything else, please tell us! Such a shame that it’s closing down.
Sat, 10 May, 2008 at 19:05
Charmaine: I too heard from them that they were looking for a place to move to but that was when I put my name into their book - then I got that flyer. Was just there today and they really are selling off everything…
Zoe: I too was there today! And yes, many of those I asked had no idea. The man who sells the curry puffs and kuehs seemed to have a lead but nothing was confirmed. I’ll definitely update with everything I can find out! Thanks for the info!
Mon, 12 May, 2008 at 11:44
Such a shame! I hoped and hoped that they would be allowed to stay open. I do love Utsuwa so must try and get out there.
Wed, 14 May, 2008 at 20:29
Niamh: Go soon! Utsuwa was looking emptier already when I was there…
Thu, 15 May, 2008 at 09:46
I was there on Monday, and it’s emptying out very quickly. I spent £40 but could have easily spent more…
We are really sad, we go there every year for my birthday, I don’t know what I’m going to do next year
I look forward to hearing any news you might hear!
Fri, 16 May, 2008 at 18:26
[...] May 8, 2008: An update here. [...]
Fri, 16 May, 2008 at 21:24
Claire Fun: I’ll be heading there again at least once more before they close. All the good stuff at Utsuwa is gone already though… I couldn’t find the wooden handled platter nor the glossy black teapot I’d been eyeing up before…