6 Local Heroes That Are Making Singaporeans Proud (Part 1)
…and are making them open their wallets gladly as well, at the reimagined Funan. Part 1 of our 2-part series.
National day might be over, but we’re still in the month of August, so we’re shining the spotlight at these local heroes that are making us proud of our little (but spunky) red dot, and giving other international brands a run for their money. Some of them have been driven to find success not just in Singapore, but across our shores as well.
They span from food and beverage, to fashion, to sports, to even theatre, and they all have one thing in common: they come together to grow even greater in the fertile soil of the reimaged Funan.
Because food (and good coffee) comes first for us Singaporeans, for Part 1 of our 2-part series, we’re proud to present to you PPP Coffee, Tiong Bahru Bakery and Sinpopo Brand. Can't wait? Jump straight to Part 2!
Local Hero 1: PPP Coffee
PPP Coffee is the coffee purveyor formerly known as Papa Palheta.
They first started out as a roastery with a small operation in 2009, expanding quickly to five cafes at one time, with a cafe in Kuala Lumpur that opened in 2014.
Their store in Funan comes on the back of their rebranding and also marks their tenth year in the coffee business.
The PPP Coffee store in Funan promises a “multi-sensory coffee experience”.
The last time we had a multi-sensory coffee experience was when someone tripped and splashed coffee on us at the kopitiam. But pleasantly with PPP Coffee, the experience will let you feel a connection with the coffee you are drinking.
There is a hands-on brew bar where you can release your inner geek on a plethora of brewing equipment, a library of high-quality roasted beans (after all, they did start out as a roastery), and even an artisanal toast bar for connoisseurs who are as discerning with their toast as with their beans.
Local Hero 2: Tiong Bahru Bakery
Tiong Bahru Bakery started out at – yes you guessed it – at Tiong Bahru with their original outlet that soon got famous for its croissant, and led it to becoming the “Home of the Handmade Croissant”.
The croissant is buttery and light, with crispy and flaky skin, and chewy yet soft texture that made you wonder if it was made in heaven by an angel instead.
Today, you can get that same heavenly taste at six locations across the island including Raffles City, together with their latest outlet in Funan.
Tiong Bahru Bakery in Funan is the most spacious one, beautifully designed to seat 90, with a long bar clad in brass displaying tempting baked goodies.
In addition to the 100% French flour-and-butter bakes, it serves exclusive coffee blends and a full food menu.
Local Hero 3: Sinpopo Brand
Sinpopo Brand started out as a nostalgic cafe in one of the heritage shophouses along Joo Chiat Road in Katong, as an ode to the area and its Peranakan heritage.
Old and well-loved recipes were spruced up to keep them relevant, yet prepared in the traditional way for flavours that brought back fond memories.
It was like when grandma prepared food for the family dinner, and you could taste the love in the food.
Sinpopo Coffee in Funan brings that genuine touch, over to coffee, adding to the repertoire and increasing the number of ways you can experience Sinpopo Brand.
The same care it took with local buttery roasted beans have also been applied to freshly ground espresso, and paired delightfully with delicious cakes and simple yet scrumptious meals.
Enjoyed reading about our first three local heroes? Check out our next three local heroes, W!ld Rice, Climb Central, and Love, Bonito in Part 2 right here!