\n<\/p>\n
Pantler had initially planned to close, with Phua previously telling 8days that prevailing market conditions had made the business \u201cnot sustainable\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Aug 26, the patisserie extended its final day to Sep 6, giving customers more time to visit.<\/p>\n
Following the announcement, customers flocked to Pantler for what they thought might be a final taste of its pastries, with long queues seen stretching outside its River Valley shop.<\/p>\n
The patisserie also received an influx of messages from customers who wanted the business to continue.<\/p>\n
Phua said the response was probably the \u201cbiggest surprise\u201d for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew there were people who loved Pantler, but seeing the queues and receiving so many texts, personal notes and gifts, it was quite emotional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The response made him realise that Pantler had become \u201cmuch more than just a business\u201d to some customers.<\/p>\n
Phua and co-founder, Japanese pastry chef Tomoharu Morita, will no longer be involved as the new owner takes over.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be some changes over time as the new owner settles in and looks at the business, but there isn\u2019t going to be an immediate overhaul,\u201d Phua told 8days.<\/p>\n
Much of Pantler\u2019s core team will also remain, including sous chef Ling Tian Wei, who has served as Morita\u2019s right-hand man.<\/p>\n
\u201cChef Wei, who has been with Pantler for six years, will continue making the same products, along with other members of the team,\u201d Phua said.<\/p>\n
Phua and Morita met while working at Grand Hyatt Tokyo and later worked at the now-defunct Joel Robuchon Restaurant in Singapore.<\/p>\n
They opened Pantler at Telok Ayer Street in 2014 before moving to its larger River Valley premises in February 2021.<\/p>\n
The patisserie has since built a loyal following for its Japanese-French pastries, including its Yatsura chocolate-hazelnut cake, chou a la creme and Swiss rolls.<\/p>\n
Matthias believes the new owner will bring \u201cfresh eyes and new energy\u201d to the business, while the existing team contributes its knowledge and experience of running Pantler over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully that combination will give the business a good opportunity to move forward,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Pantler is located at 474 River Valley Rd, Singapore 248359. Open Tue to Sun, 10.30am\u20136.30pm. Closed Mon. More info via <\/em>Instagram<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n This story was originally <\/em>published <\/em>in 8Days.<\/em><\/p>\n For more 8Days stories, visit <\/em>https:\/\/www.8days.sg\/<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n