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“It’s been 21 years since we first opened our doors. We’re very sorry that we can’t keep this dream running longer,” the shop’s spokeswoman said in a social media video on Tuesday.

The business, along with its more than 250 recipes, is up for sale to those who want to continue the legacy, she added.

Founded in 2005, Tom’s Palette is known to offer a range of unique and unusual flavors, including those inspired by local favorites such as Hainanese kaya and nasi lemak.

The shop opened its first outlet at Shaw Tower before moving to Middle Road in Bugis. It also has a second outlet on Hougang Street in Kovan, which opened in 2024.

Its planned closure adds to a growing list of food and beverage businesses that have shut their doors in Singapore this year.

Some 1,777 such businesses closed in the first half of this year, with 603 recorded in March alone, according to Statistics Singapore.

More recently, artisanal chocolatier Laurent Cafe & Chocolate Bar at Robertson Quay shut down earlier this week after 20 years in business.

“Back in April, I sat here wondering if we were next, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we are next,” the Tom’s Palette spokeswoman said in the Tuesday video.

“I’m sure to many, we appear as a very successful business. But the truth is that the dessert industry really only does well for three hours out of the day, and it’s not enough to pay for the 21 hours when there’s not a lot of people,” she added.