Popular vintage store Anteiku Studios is set to leave Singapore’s Haji Lane after two years at its current location, with its co-founder citing ever-increasing rental costs as the reason for the closure.
The store announced on Sept 13 that it will shut its Haji Lane outlet in November. Its final day at the current premises will be Nov 15.
The closure comes amid growing concerns about rising rents in Haji Lane, where independent retailers, cafés, creative businesses and other small operators have faced increasing pressure from higher occupancy costs.
Anteiku Studios Is Moving, Not Disappearing
Despite leaving Haji Lane, Anteiku Studios is not closing permanently.
The vintage retailer plans to move into Rocks Cafe on Arab Street, where the two businesses will operate together as a single entity.
Rocks Cafe was opened late last year by Mike, the partner of Anteiku Studios co-founder AJ.
The combined space is expected to offer a broader lifestyle experience, with visitors able to enjoy pizza, coffee and matcha alongside community events.
Planned activities include Beyblade sessions, Smash Bros gatherings, trading card game events and other community-focused programmes.
The date for Anteiku Studios’ first day at the new location has not yet been announced.
Third Move Since Opening
The move will be the third relocation for Anteiku Studios since the vintage store first opened about five years ago.
The business originally operated at Pearl’s Hill Terrace before moving to The Pink House along North Bridge Road.
It later relocated to its current Haji Lane premises, where it spent the past two years building its presence among the area’s independent retail and lifestyle scene.
The latest move means the store will once again have to establish itself in a new neighbourhood while maintaining the identity it has developed over the years.
Rising Rents Put Pressure on Haji Lane Businesses
Anteiku Studios’ departure highlights a wider challenge facing small businesses operating around Haji Lane.
The colourful Kampong Glam street has become one of Singapore’s best-known destinations for independent shops, cafés, fashion labels and creative businesses.
But the area’s popularity has also contributed to rising commercial rents.
Recent reports have pointed to sharp increases in asking rents along Haji Lane, with some units seeing substantial jumps compared with previous rental levels.
For smaller independent operators, higher rent can quickly eat into margins, particularly when businesses also face rising labour, utilities and inventory costs.
A New Chapter on Arab Street
For Anteiku Studios, however, the move represents more than simply an exit from Haji Lane.
The partnership with Rocks Cafe could allow the vintage business to combine retail with food, drinks and community events in a different type of space.
That could give the brand an opportunity to build a broader customer base while retaining the community that has supported it since its early days.
The store has also thanked customers for their support, promising to keep the Anteiku Studios name alive despite leaving Haji Lane.
Its departure is another reminder of the difficult balance facing Singapore’s independent businesses: finding a location that attracts customers while keeping operating costs sustainable.
For Anteiku Studios, the next chapter will now unfold on Arab Street rather than Haji Lane.
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