Welcome to\u00a0Stomping Ground<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a space where Stompers share reflections, personal essays and social commentaries that spark conversation and insight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Is there such a thing as too many coffee shops?<\/p>\n Stomper Jimmy<\/strong>, who lives at Jurong West Street 41, seems to think so. By his count, his neighbourhood has seven coffee shops as of April 7, including a new one at Block 495 that is about to open. <\/p>\n Blocks 493 and 494 have one each, Tahoe Garden and Meetup@494 respectively.<\/p>\n Block 496 has two with Kimly Coffee Shop and FoodHub. Block 498 offers another two, 7 Stars and Chang Cheng Mee Wah Coffee Shop.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is small residential enclave overwhelmed by seven coffee shops,\u201d said Jimmy. \u201cI guess this is a first in Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n He wondered if such a high concentration of coffee shops would negatively impact residents\u2019 quality of life and well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cCommon issues such as high noise levels from patrons and kitchen operations, persistent cooking odours, pests and increased smoking can affect those living in the HDB flats above or directly adjacent to the coffee shops,\u201d said the Stomper.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a matter of fact, the two recent fire cases which involved kitchen exhaust ducts do warrant grave concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n The Stomper was referring to a March 19 blaze in a Queen Street coffee shop<\/a> and a March 26 fire at Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jimmy wanted to know why the authorities are letting market forces dictate the number of coffee shops in the area instead of controlling it.<\/p>\n \u201cSimilar to bubble tea shops?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Have your say on Stomping Ground! Write to us at stomp@sph.com.sg or WhatsApp 9384 3761.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n![\"Stomp](\"https:\/\/www.stomp.sg\/assets\/stomp-comment-COLiWNMD.png\")
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