Is Corner House moving beyond food?

Two restaurant closures put its changing tenant mix in focus.

Two restaurant closures at The Corner House in San Juan City have prompted online speculation about whether the community hub’s food-heavy tenant mix is starting to lose steam. The changes also come as the property appears to be moving closer to its original vision as a neighborhood hub that goes beyond restaurants.

Bun Appétit will close its Corner House branch on Sept. 27, while One World Deli will shut its doors at the community hub on Sept. 30.

When The Corner House was launched, it was envisioned as more than a dining destination, with its tenant mix also intended to include businesses and services for the surrounding community.

Now, One World Deli’s space is set to become home to the International Center for Beginning Beginners, a progressive preschool focused on reading and creative education.

Bun Appétit announced its closure in an Instagram post on Sept. 20, saying it had one week left at the location and inviting customers to have “one last bite” before it closes.

The seafood restaurant, known for its bagels, sandwiches, and rolls, will continue operating at its Power Plant Mall branch in Makati City.

One World Deli announced its closure in a Sept. 19 post, while also saying it plans to open two new locations, although it did not specify where.

“Soon, we’ll be popping back in the neighborhood,” One World Deli said.

The chain has five other branches across Metro Manila.

So while two restaurants are leaving Corner House, neither is leaving the market. Bun Appétit still has its Makati branch, while One World Deli says it is preparing to open two more locations.

What changes at Corner House is the tenant mix.

The community hub has become a destination for restaurants as well as bazaars, pop-up events, and other businesses. The arrival of a preschool in a former restaurant space could further broaden that lineup.

The development has fueled speculation online over whether foot traffic on non-event days is enough to sustain some retailers at the community hub, particularly given its upscale positioning and prices.

There is no indication yet that the two restaurant closures are part of a broader pullback from Corner House. They could simply reflect the usual turnover of tenants, while the businesses themselves pursue other locations.

Whether Corner House is gradually moving away from a food-heavy model or simply making room for a broader variety of neighborhood businesses remains to be seen. The tenant mix, however, is clearly changing.

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