All about "Mama" Shops

Written by Vionna

“Mama” means uncle in Tamil. In the past, these shops were tended by Indians and over the years, the term “mama” shop evolved and is known to many. These shops can be found under Housing Development Board (HDB) flats all over the island.

In the past, a typical “mama” shop sold snacks, sweets and ice pops. It catered to school children who frequent these shops.

Now, most provisions such as cooking oil, tomato sauce and milk are sold in “mama” shops. Stationeries and new ice-creams like magnum are additions to these shops.

“Mama” shops are not air-conditioned. Some even operate from dawn till midnight.

Majority of the customers are regulars or residents living around the estate. School children from nearby schools also visit “mama” shops.

With modernisation and competition from supermarkets and other convenience stores such as 7-11,  “mama” shops are dealt with a blow to survive. These shops are vanishing from the void decks of HDB flats.

Recording for CELs Task 9
https://sites.google.com/site/celstask9allaboutmamashops/all-about-mama-shops