“Economic realities can be harsh, and we have not been spared”
Kampong Glam is losing another F&B spot, with halal brunch cafe Penny University becoming the latest casualty.
In an Instagram post on Saturday (Apr 18), it said its Jalan Klapa outlet will close on May 3.
Citing difficult economic conditions, the cafe said it has “not been spared” from the impact of the F&B downturn, which contributed to its closure.
Economic realities can be harsh, and we have not been spared. Challenging times in F&B mean that we have to take a curtain call on our time here in Jalan Klapa.
Penny University described its time at Jalan Klapa as “an adventure,” noting that the cafe stayed true to its roots of serving “great coffee and brunch” while building ties with the local community, including a growing number of international customers.
It added that the team would be taking a break to “recharge and regroup” following the closure.
Penny University first opened in 2012 at East Coast, where it built a reputation for its signature coffee and brunch offerings. According to Channel News Asia, the cafe also hosted community-driven activities over the years, including crochet sessions, art jamming and book club discussions.
About a decade later, it relocated to Jalan Klapa in Kampong Glam.
The brand later expanded in 2024 with a second outlet at Wisma Geylang Serai, which will continue operations after the closure of its Jalan Klapa branch.
Penny University’s closure comes amid a series of recent exits in Kampong Glam’s F&B scene.
After 78 years in the area, nasi padang eatery Warong Nasi Pariaman closed its doors on Jan 31, 2026.
Separately, Prince Coffee House is also set to shut in mid-2026, after nearly 50 years along Beach Road in the Kampong Glam vicinity.
Vulcan Post has reached out to Penny University for further comments.
- Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.
Featured Image Credit: V via Google Reviews/ Penny University
