An Açai Affair
An Açai Affair (official website) is a Singaporean food and beverage establishment specialising in açai bowls. The business was founded by Singapore Management University (SMU) undergraduates Isabel Lee and Anna Ng in 2016. The brand prides itself in serving flavourful and undiluted açai bowls. Most recently in 2019, An Açai Affair opened their first 24-hour outlet at Jewel Changi Airport.
Origins
An Açai Affair was launched in 2016 when co-founders Isabel Lee and Anna Ng realised that there was business potential for açai bowls in the Singapore market.[1] The pair wanted to ensure that their açai bowls were more affordable without compromising on quality.
Initially, Isabel and Anna faced difficulties attributed to their younger age as undergraduates. Many of their suppliers and contractors had quoted them higher prices due to their perceived lack of experience.[2] However, they were able to negotiate for more reasonable prices.
Growth in Singapore
An Açai Affair opened its first physical store in the east of Singapore due to the high concentration of gyms and fitness studios in the area.[3] Based on the location, An Açai Affair had access to patrons who were looking for a healthy post-workout snack.
The brand started off with a store in Katong and subsequently opened other branches in Bugis, Upper Thomson and Westgate in 2018. Their latest outlet opened at Jewel Changi Airport in 2019.
| Outlet | Address | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| An Açai Affair Katong | 101 East Coast Road Singapore 428976 | Monday - Thursday: 12pm - 10pm
Friday: 12pm - 11:30pm Saturday: 10am - 11:30pm Sunday: 10am - 10pm |
| An Açai Affair Duo Galleria (Bugis) | 7 Fraser Street #B3-06 DUO Galleria Singapore 189356 | Monday - Friday: 10am - 8pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm Sunday: Closed |
| An Açai Affair at Thrive @ Upper Thomson | 215B Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349 | Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 11pm |
| An Açai Affair @ Westgate | 3 Gateway Drive, #B1-30 Westgate, Singapore 608532 | Monday - Sunday: 11am - 10pm |
| An Açai Affair @ Jewel Changi Airport | 76 Airport Boulevard #B2-262 Jewel Changi Airport Singapore 819666 | Monday - Sunday: 24 Hours |
Harvest
In 2017, the pair partnered with Zhiwei and another external investor to open Harvest Singapore, a café which serves protein and grain bowls. Harvest Singapore cooks their proteins using the sous vide method to in order to keep them tender and moist.[4]
The outlet for Harvest Singapore is located at 81 East Coast Road and opens daily from 11.30am to 9.30pm.[5]
Product
An Açai Affair serves açai bowls along with smoothies, smoothie bowls and toasts. Their açai bowls consist of an açai pulp base topped with fruit, granola and superfoods like chia seeds, nut butter and almond flakes.[6] Their smoothies and smoothie bowls are mainly made of blended fruits. As part of an effort to build a sustainable business, An Açai Affair uses 100% biodegradable cups.[7]
Events and collaborations
M Social x Thrive by Boxgreen and An Açai Affair (Nov 2018)
An Açai Affair collaborated with Boxgreen, M Social Singapore and Thrive to host an Açai Bowl Making workshop in 2018. Participants of the workshop learnt how to create an açai bowl from scratch.[8]
Controversy
In February 2019, An Açai Affair’s Katong outlet was suspended for two weeks having accumulated 12 demerit points from the National Environment Agency (NEA).[9] The offences stemmed from the failure to register their cashiers as food handlers on two occasions in the span of a year. According to co-owner Isabel, the issue was not related to hygiene and that the staff had been sent for relevant training after their first offence.[10]
References / Citations
- ↑ “How These 21-year-old SMU Students Built A Successful Business”. Teenage Magazine. November 20, 2017. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: http://teenage.com.sg/campus/how-these-21-year-old-smu-students-built-a-successful-business/
- ↑ Lim, Jasmine. “An Acai Affair co-founders seen as easy target due to young age”. The New Paper. February 11, 2019. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/acai-affair-co-founders-seen-easy-target-due-young-age
- ↑ “How These 21-year-old SMU Students Built A Successful Business”. Teenage Magazine. November 20, 2017. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: http://teenage.com.sg/campus/how-these-21-year-old-smu-students-built-a-successful-business/
- ↑ Cha, Sheryl. “Harvest & An Acai Affair: The Inspiring Young People Who Take Healthy Eating Seriously!”. A Chronic Voice. April 12, 2018. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.achronicvoice.com/2018/04/21/harvest-acai-affair-healthy-eating/
- ↑ “Say Hello or come in for a bite”. Harvest SG. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.harvestsg.com/contact
- ↑ “About Us”. An Açai Affair. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.anacaiaffair.com/aboutus
- ↑ An Açai Affair. “As a business…”. Instagram. April 21, 2019. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwgZzi4HoG5/
- ↑ “M Social x Thrive by Boxgreen and An Acai Affair”. Eventbrite. Accessed on 6 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/m-social-x-thrive-by-boxgreen-and-an-acai-affair-tickets-51324233163#
- ↑ Choo, Yun Ting. “An Acai Affair’s Katong outlet suspended for 2 weeks after failing to register food handlers”. The Straits Times. February 12, 2019. Accessed on 9 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/an-acai-affairs-katong-outlet-suspended-for-2-weeks-after-failing-to-register-food
- ↑ Choo, Yun Ting. “An Acai Affair’s Katong outlet suspended for 2 weeks after failing to register food handlers”. The Straits Times. February 12, 2019. Accessed on 9 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/an-acai-affairs-katong-outlet-suspended-for-2-weeks-after-failing-to-register-food