In fast-paced Singapore, it seems like every other day we receive news about the closing down of a place that we have spent time at.
This time it’s the turn of the McDonald’s at the Singapore Science Centre to say goodbye.
As a student, you might have visited the Singapore Science Centre at some point with your classmates as part of your learning journeys and excursions.
Passing by the familiar sight of the McDonald’s sign near the centre’s entrance got us all whining for a hearty meal of McNuggets.
Those whose schools were nearby may have also studied there with our friends.
Well, this McDonald’s outlet that might have featured prominently in our childhood is about to cease operations on 22 Mar at 5pm, after 20 years of service.
In response to inquiries from MS News, a McDonald’s spokesperson said despite stores opening and closing all the time in the food and beverage industry, it was “especially sad” to close this outlet as it’s one of “Singapore’s iconic McDonald’s restaurants”.
This is the full statement sent to MS News from the spokesperson:
Our restaurant at Science Centre Singapore will cease operations on Sunday, 22 March. Although store closures and openings are commonplace in our industry and also part of our continued growth plan, it’s especially sad for us to say goodbye to one of Singapore’s iconic McDonald’s restaurants. It has been a pleasure serving and interacting with visitors at Science Centre Singapore over the past 20 years. We look forward to serving them at our other restaurants.
Looks like the Ronald McDonald statue that used to wave hello to us on our excursions will be waving goodbye to us this time round.
While there are many other McDonald’s outlets in Singapore, one of the most iconic things about this McDonald’s branch is its display case filled with McDonald’s Happy Meal toys of yesteryear.
The toys date back to when most of us were still kids — or not even born yet — bringing customers back to the day when McDonald’s had chairs that were connected together in pairs, and most of its outlets had playgrounds for kids.
They also pay testament to the legacy of this long-standing outlet, and reminding us of the memories we had here.
Many of us have fond memories of the iconic store. A few lucky ones might have thrown a birthday party at the outlet as a kid.
Hence, it’s no surprise that the bad news has rekindled in Singaporeans a sense of nostalgia for the good old days.
Some netizens remember that it was in this very outlet that they first learnt how to order a McDonald’s meal.
Others reminisce about their first taste of a McSpicy burger in that very store.
The most heartwarming story we came across is a Singaporean who visited the branch as a secondary school student eventually bringing his kid there.
For McDonald’s, too, it has been a “pleasure serving and interacting with visitors at Science Centre Singapore over the past 20 years”, and they look forward to serving customers at nearby restaurants.
The Science Centre McDonald’s will soon join the King Albert Park and Changi Airport Terminal 2 outlet on the list of iconic McDonald’s restaurants that closed down.
Meanwhile, there’s still time to say goodbye to this iconic outlet before it goes for good.
Visit the outlet here:
McDonald’s Singapore Science Centre
Address: Singapore Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Rd, Kinetic Garden, 609081
Opening hours: 10am – 8pm daily
While you are at it, you can also visit the Singapore Science Centre to explore their exhibits.
Featured image adapted from 3district14 and Flickr.
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