The owner of Singapore cafe and streetwear concept Haus Coffee has stepped down after acknowledging that employees were paid late and that some staff had to use their own money to purchase supplies for the business.
Tan Junyu announced his decision in an Instagram statement on Sept. 26, following weeks of complaints and allegations about delayed payments and the cafe’s management. He said new management had been put in place to oversee recruitment, training and finances.
The business, located at Golden Mile Tower, had announced a temporary closure on Sept. 17 while it dealt with what it described as “internal matters.” The announcement was followed by comments on social media alleging that employees, suppliers and other parties had not been paid on time.
In his statement, Tan acknowledged that employee salaries had been paid “significantly later than expected” despite receiving reminders. He also admitted that employees had, on several occasions, paid out of pocket for stock because he had failed to make adequate arrangements to keep supplies available.
Tan said he took responsibility for what he described as failures in his role as an employer and business owner. He also apologised to customers who had complained about service at the cafe.
The controversy extended beyond employee salaries. Tan also acknowledged delays involving payments to suppliers and people who had consigned goods to Rookies, the clothing business operating alongside Haus Coffee at Golden Mile Tower.
Social media users had also circulated allegations involving Tan’s personal conduct and the management of the business. Some of those claims came from posts attributed to a former business partner, but they have not been independently established. Tan’s public statement addressed the business’s late payments and management problems but did not address every allegation circulating online.
The response to Tan’s apology has been mixed. Some customers and former collaborators called for clearer information about outstanding payments and what would happen following the management change. The statement was widely shared online, with commenters questioning whether a change in management would be sufficient without specific timelines for resolving outstanding issues.
Haus Coffee was established in December 2024 and operates from Golden Mile Tower as part of a broader concept combining a cafe with Rookies, a streetwear and clothing business. The brand has also appeared at pop-up events in Singapore.
Tan said the new management would take responsibility for key operational areas, including recruitment, staff training and business finances. He also said he wanted to make amends with employees, suppliers, collaborators and customers affected by the problems.
The case highlights the financial and operational pressures that can emerge as small food-and-beverage businesses expand while managing staffing, inventory, suppliers and cash flow.
For Haus Coffee, the immediate challenge is now rebuilding its operations under new management and addressing concerns from employees, suppliers, collaborators and customers.
The next phase will depend on how the new management handles outstanding payments, restores normal operations and responds to the concerns that emerged during the cafe’s temporary closure.
