Covid-19 and its ensuing circuit breaker in Singapore has been tough on local F&B businesses. The pandemic has claimed once-popular businesses like the Stärker bar chain, and Italian restaurant Modesto’s two outlets. The latest eatery to shutter is the well-loved Imperial Treasure Nan Bei at Ngee Ann City’s fifth floor. It had been operating at the mall for 16 years, since 2004.

The restaurant officially closed on June 8, but the company only announced the news on its social media yesterday (June 10). It was popular for its Hong Kong-style dim sum, and Northern and Southern fine Chinese dishes such as poached clams in rice wine, ‘bi feng’ style prawns and stewed pork belly with mei cai.

A marketing rep for Imperial Treasure tells 8days.sg that it had shuttered the restaurant as its tenancy agreement had ended, adding: “The management was reviewing whether to extend the tenancy at the beginning of the year. They later came to a decision not to renew with the announcement of circuit breaker. This is so that the management can focus our efforts and resources on other outlets.” Staff who were working at the Nan Bei restaurant were “transferred to other outlets to support business operations”.

Imperial Treasure still operates 16 other outlets here, of which 10 are currently open for takeaway. The company’s marketing rep says “there are no plans to close down other outlets”, so hurrah for their regulars. Imperial Treasure was started in 2004 by Hong Kong-born restaurateur Alfred Leung, who founded Crystal Jade with his brother-in-law before leaving to set up his own business.

For a list of Imperial Treasure outlets, click here.

PHOTOS: IMPERIAL TREASURE