It’s no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has been exceptionally tough on karaoke businesses, which were not allowed to operate since the Circuit Breaker started last year. While chains like Teo Heng managed to reopen by converting their karaoke rooms into recreational rooms, other KTV operators had remained shut for over a year.

Karaoke Manekineko, a Japanese family karaoke chain, announced today (May 19) via a Facebook post that it had closed down all its outlets on May 5, before Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) kicked in on May 14. No reason was given for the delayed announcement.

The chain had eight outlets in Singapore:

● Orchard Cineleisure

● *SCAPE

● Bugis+

● Lucky Chinatown

● Marina Square

● SAFRA Jurong

● SAFRA Punggol

● Tampines 1

The karaoke chain was known for serving buffet spreads for customers to fuel up during their K-sessions.

However, Karaoke Manekineko added in its post that “it’s not goodbye, it’s until we meet again”. Could they be reopening after the pandemic? After all, it had posted a similar goodbye announcement (pictured above) last year at the start of the Circuit Breaker, except the latest notice specifically states that they are “going to close down”.

8days.sg has reached out to Karaoke Manekineko for clarification.

Photos: Karaoke Manekineko