Tom & Stefanie down to three stores from 10 as founders' daughter aims to keep business going - CNA Lifestyle

The founders’ daughter, who is also named Stefanie and grew up helping out at the family’s stores, says she wants to keep the business going for longtime staff who have been with the company for almost 20 years.

Stefanie Chua's parents opened their first Tom & Stefanie store 32 years ago, and the current SMU student said she grew up in their shops. (Photo: Mediacorp)

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Remember Tom & Stefanie? Earlier this year, the homegrown children's store announced that its Hillion Mall outlet was closing after six years, citing rising rental costs.

Now, the 32-year-old family business has shuttered another outlet, this time at Tiong Bahru Plaza.

At its peak, Tom & Stefanie had 10 stores across Singapore. Following the Tiong Bahru closure, it's down to just three.

But if founders Tom and Stefanie's daughter, who is also named Stefanie, has anything to say about it, the family business isn't going anywhere just yet.

And keeping her parents' legacy alive isn't her only motivation. Stefanie Chua is also thinking about the longtime employees who have been around long enough to watch her grow up.

In an episode of Mediacorp's Gen Z Crash Course, Chua was asked why she felt it was important to keep the business going despite the challenges it faces.