Source: The Smok Hous on Facebook & Facebook
One of Singapore’s first Halal smokehouses, The Smok Hous, will be closing its doors by 1 Nov, as the Punggol Container Park it calls home makes way for “future residential development”.
The business has described the feeling of its impending closure as “surreal”, and invited diners to “make one more memory” with them before they go.
“Soon, this little place we’ve called home will become a memory,” wrote The Smok Hous in a post on 6 Sept.
The barbeque joint announced the news in a Facebook post on 28 Aug, confirming that “the rumours are true” and that its time at Punggol is coming to an end.
Located at 50 Punggol East, The Smok Hous has been serving up smoked meats to diners at the container park.
In the post, the eatery said it only received the news in July and that it “didn’t expect our time here to end this soon”.
It is also encouraging customers to visit one more time “before the smokers go quiet”.
The restaurant also urged its customers, affectionately known as “Smokfam”, to bring along their families and friends, order their favourite dishes and make “one last Smok Hous memory” at Punggol.
The outlet currently operates from 12pm to 3pm for lunch and 5pm to 10pm for dinner, with islandwide delivery also available.
The Smok Hous is not the only business affected by the development.
Punggol Container Park, located at the end of Turbing Lane, is home to a mix of businesses and activities.
These include nurseries, fitness facilities, pickleball courts and also rows of shipping containers housing food vendors.
Source: Google Maps
According to the video, all vendors must leave the site by 1 Nov this year, when the entire site will close.
Rudy also described it as possibly the “last container park” to have survived in Singapore, and encouraged people to visit and support the businesses before they disappear.
The restaurant also hinted that it “might just have to go back to where it all started”, adding that it is going “back to square one.”
In response to the announcement by The Smok Hous, fans shared their disappointment and also their support for the business in the future.
While shocked by the news, one netizen urged the eatery to find an alternative location to operate from.
Source: Facebook
Others were sad to hear the news, with one saying that Singapore is “losing ‘real’ places” and becoming “more and more soulless”.
Source: Facebook
Another netizen suggested Cosford Container Park as a potential location to move to.
Source: Facebook
In a Facebook post on 28 Sept, The Smok Hous shared that it has started a pop-up at 28 Kandahar Street.
The business will be offering its Nasi Lemak with Smoked Wagyu Brisket and Nasi Lemak with Burnt Ends daily from 10am to 8pm.
However, it is unclear where the business will be relocating to from 1 Nov onwards.
EdgeProp reported in Aug 2024 that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had earmarked plots near Riviera LRT Station for future residential development.
The project could affect existing businesses along Tebing Lane and Punggol East, including Punggol Sports Hub, Punggol Container Park, and Par Golf Range @ Punggol East.
In response to MS News’ queries, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said the State property at 50 Punggol East Road had been tenanted to Citysprouts Pte Ltd from 1 Oct 2022 and will expire on 31 Dec 2026.
“The tenancy cannot be extended as the site is required for future residential redevelopment,” said the SLA spokesperson.
“City Sprouts is preparing to vacate and return the site by 31 Dec 2026,” they added.
MS News has also reached out to The Smok Hous for comment.
Also read: F&B Container Park Opening In Changi With Food, Live Music & Airport Runway Views
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Featured image adapted from The Smok Hous on Facebook & Facebook.