42 local brands are now recognised as SG Heritage Businesses, including bookstores, teahouses, and restaurants

It’s been a trying time for local businesses lately – closures of Flor Patisserie, Madeleine's Original Portuguese Egg Tart, and Café Lilac by Whisking Bakes have hit hard, while chain outlets from abroad are populating the island faster than we can say, “another one?”. But it’s not just an issue in the F&B industry. The arts scene is also fighting its fair share of battles, with The Projector, Epigram Books’ last physical store, and Cathay Cineplexes all closing down for good within this year.

Which is why it’s more important than ever to show love to our favourite homegrown haunts. The National Heritage Board (NHB) has just introduced the SG Heritage Business Scheme, in an effort to “celebrate and support exemplar local heritage businesses”.

The criteria? Other than the base requirement of having at least 30 years of history in Singapore – while remaining in the same site or area for those three decades or more – these local businesses need to “preserve our rich heritage”, “have strong community ties”, and be “committed to sustaining their businesses”. They should also have at least 30 percent local equity held directly or indirectly by Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.

According to NHB, recipients of SG Heritage Business status will gain greater brand awareness through government-supported marketing schemes, special storefront plaques, and digital logos, as well as “support for business improvement and transformation efforts”.

As part of the initiative, 42 local brands have been recognised as part of this year’s SG Heritage Business list – with everything from well-loved F&B names like Swee Choon Dim Sum, to bookstores like Basheer Graphic Books, and teahouses like Tea Chapter and Yixing Xuan.

Complete list of SG Heritage Businesses in Singapore in 2025

1. ANA Book Store
2. Anushia Flower Shop
3. Basheer Graphic Books
4. Cathay Photo Store (Pte) Ltd
5. Chatterbox
6. Chop Wah On
7. CYC Company Pte Ltd
8. Dakshaini Silks Pte Ltd
9. Foundation Jewellers Pte Ltd
10. Gandhi Restaurant
11. Gayatri Restaurant
12. Halijah Travels Pte Ltd
13. JUMBO Seafood
14. Kamala Restaurant
15. Kele Confectionery
16. Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant
17. Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee
18. Lim Chee Guan
19. Maha Yu Yi Pte Ltd
20. Mei Heong Yuen Dessert
21. Muthu's Curry
22. Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop
23. Nasi Padang Sabar Menanti Singapore
24. Old Chang Kee Singapore Pte Ltd
25. On Cheong Jewellery
26. Pek Sin Choon Pte Ltd
27. Red Star Restaurant Pte Ltd
28. Rumah Makan Minang
29. Shashlik Restaurant
30. SIS Premium Meats
31. Spring Court Restaurant
32. STYLEMART Bridal Collection Pte Ltd
33. Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
34. Tai Chong Kok
35. Tea Chapter
36. Teck Soon Medical Hall Pte Ltd
37. Thandapani Company Pte Ltd
38. Thye Shan Medical Hall Pte Ltd
39. Toko Aljunied
40. Tong Heng Delicacies
41. VSS Varusai Mohamed & Sons
42. Yixing Xuan Teahouse

Find out more about the SG Heritage Business Scheme here.

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