September 1, 2012 05:16 PM

Selling Happiness in Singapore. Welcome to bohemian world of Blujaz cafe.

Ms. Aileen Tan Blujaz Café owner [Singapore]

By Masaaki Yasuda Interview on July 11, 2012

Keywords :          

One stop away from City hall, there is Singapore's exotic culture of Arab street. Blujaz café is located at the one identical corner in the district. Malaysia born, property company owner of Ms. Tan is the Blujaz famous woman who has also brought an Arabian and Mexican restaurant on the same street.

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Huge old tree gives us a good feel of relaxation.

There is old, huge 2 meter width tree right in front of the cafe. The street of Bali lane is on a 5 lane busy road. The café's corner looks like sudden dream land appear in the little forest. Exterior is painted in mint green and interior is a surprise of colorfully decorated with indie art and unique paintings.

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Creative objects are decorating the restaurant.

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Unique lamp shade.

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Stage for free charged live performance on weekend.

Blujaz café has opened in 2004. Owner, Ms. Tan has started off Property Company with girlfriend after worked for law firm. She loves old shop houses. She started off with newly hunted property in Arab street and started of this unique concept café. She also has another business of Mexican restaurant in Johor Bahru, Malaysia where she was born. Johor Bahru is at nearest corner of Malaysia just beside Singapore and it is just an hour drive away from Singapore city. Many of Singapore firms are moving on to seek for lower property price and living cost.

"I love this place. The three points, Big tree, building hide-and-seek, near from city. This place used to be western Japanese restaurant owned by Chinese woman."

"Concept is to Sell Happiness. I want people to feel as their second home. Neighbor artist has done the interior design as well as the other two. First few months were such a struggle as there was no customer but fortunately after 6 month, things get better." 

Ms. Tan has brought Blujaz a successful and well-known café. Followed by that, she created the neighbor shop houses to start Arabian restaurant "The Muzium Café", and Mexican restaurant "PIEDRA NEGRA".  We love the PIEDRA NEGRA's interior that is colorfully painted all over the wall and uniquely decorated with creative arts. It is such a hot spot filled by Singaporean, Caucasian, and tourists. Customers are making their turns daily on each restaurant.   

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The Muzium Café

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PIEDRA NEGRA

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Entrance decollated with native Indian motif.

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Bar counter

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Interior decoration

Half of customers are locals and the rest is mix of Japanese and Caucasian, who is mostly music or fashion related creative people, those mind set is freely open to adopt any culture or habits.

"A customer spends around $20. 40% out of sales comes from alcohol. Most important key to sell alcohol is not the location but concept. We have made our restaurant looking like a bar so people start having food together with drink. Local will find this place relaxing drinking bar restaurant expect for Chinese Singaporeans. Their habit remains to eat first then come for drinking afterwards."
 
"Price setting for Arabian and Mexican is about 45% cheaper than other competitors. We would like to make long run business. Today Singapore market tends to think F&B business is the fastest method to make a success and to build a quick capital to make another business such as property."

"We have problems in human resourcing and rent is drastically increasing so we are not intending to make new restaurant. Blujaz rent used to be S$8,000 back then but now it is raised to S$30,000. I want to make this place as a hub for best musicians to play. Gather and have some fun. We are not charging for music fees, I don't like to do business for sake of making money. I want to give happiness."

Although Singaporeans tend to rush to the result and being materialistic on making business, Ms. Tan thinks differently. She can think for long term. That mindset leads her to become one of the successful F&B business woman owners in Singapore. Laughter never stopped while interview and definitely the person who can bring happiness to the world. We regret we could not distribute portrait of her.

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