About

Teng, or 鼎, means cauldron, which implies solidity; and Joo, or 裕, means wealth. The company’s name thus spells out the aspirations of the family. Ms Alice Teo, daughter of founder Mr Teo Hock Joo, continues to hold on to the family legacy. After 26 years in the family business, she counts product knowledge and interaction skills with customers among the essential requisites to do well.

Founded in 1966, Teng Joo moved to its current location at Arab Street in the early 1990s. As second-generation owner, Alice has helped the business tide through various challenges. While the business started out as a brick-and- mortar store, it has evolved with the times. In addition to serving walk-in customers, Teng Joo now sells fabric to hotels, restaurants, and wedding planners for their events. They have also listed their products on e-commerce platforms to reach a wider customer base. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Alice adapted yet again, supplying fabric to be used as drapes for hundreds of isolation cubicles in worker dormitories.
To Alice, a business means something special once one puts his or her heart into it. It is not just about dollars and cents, and even customers can become friends.