Poh Gim Wee has been operating his Mama shop at Block 41 Sims Drive ever since the boom of these standalone kiosks in the 1980s. The 83-year-old takes a bus daily from Geylang East, where he is staying, to his shop, where time seems to have stood still. The operating hours are from 8:30am – 8:30pm.

He is one of the remaining few owners of the Mama shop that has been around ever since Singapore’s inception. For many of the older Singaporeans, Mama shops bring nothing more than fond childhood reminiscence that has a special place in each of our hearts. You would be spoilt for choice with the variety of snacks and toys – there is bound to be something for everyone.

Mr Poh used to be a farmer in Kampong Chai Chee back in the eighties when Singapore was undergoing population resettlements. Back then, he had the option to trade in his farm for a shop license. His family was poor, so he would never have the money to bid for a shop, which was why he chose to start this small business of his in the void deck of the high-rise flat by HDB that was allocated by the government.

He had regular customers coming from all ages buying a bunch of daily necessities and miscellaneous things from him in the past. Nowadays, he only gets business mostly from the older crowd living nearby who want to grab a thing or two.

The stark difference between then and now was what led numerous shops similar to Mr Poh’s to be forced to close. He is well aware of the decreasing number of Mama shops in Singapore. When asked why he wasn’t doing the same, he said: "I am struggling to keep this shop too. But I don't want to be cooped up facing the four walls every day, you see. I have received an education of only up to Primary 3 level, and at this age, who would want to hire me?”

“Business may be getting worse, but it’s the only thing I can do. Moreover, this shop has been with me for decades; there are some sentimental values to it," he added.

Rental fees may have seen a hike over the years, but Mr Poh plans to continue with this business for as long as he can. His shop in Sims Drive is only 1 of the 3 that he owns. His elder son operates one of the shops in Aljunied Crescent, and his third son operates the other one in Woodlands.

His sons are continuing with the Mama shop business because they have learned the skills and foundation of operating a shop after many years of helping Mr Poh tend to his. Business used to be brisk in the past for them, but now they only earn enough to get by.

"I would, of course, love to enjoy my remaining years. But my children can't even provide for themselves, what more for me? All I can depend on now is only this shop."

Should Singapore lose this heritage for the sake of progress?

This article was written for a journalism assignment.