(SPOT.ph) It’s no secret that the pandemic has been unkind to businesses and establishments. Before 2020, most industries still operated primarily through physical outposts and offices; following the first lockdown in Metro Manila in March of that year, almost every kind of store and establishment had to quickly shift their operations and come up with creative ways to provide their services online. Though many have been able to successfully do so, others were less fortunate, leading to a number of stores permanently closing their doors all throughout 2020.
In 2021, most of the country is still under fairly strict quarantine protocols and yup, the pandemic remains. Thus, several city hotspots—including shops, cinemas, and fitness studios—were forced to shut down. The good news is that the capital region has been under Alert Level 2 since early November with more and more establishments allowed to operate. Plus, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Department of Health has reported an improvement in the number of daily COVID-19 cases. All that in mind, our hopes are high and our fingers are crossed that Metro Manila—and the businesses in it—will have a brighter year come 2022. For now, we pay our respects to the fallen soldiers we lost this past year.
These are the establishments and stores that closed down in Metro Manila in 2021:
Topshop
In February, Topshop's franchise holder in the Philippines officially announced that the fashion label—along with its sister brands Topman, Dorothy Perkins, and Burton—would officially shut down all their stores in the country by April. The closure came just months after Topshop’s parent company in the U.K., the Arcadia group, collapsed into administration in late 2020. Shortly after Arcadia was declared insolvent, Topshop and Topman were purchased by online fashion retailer ASOS while Dorothy Perkins and Burton were purchased by Boohoo.
Topshop was originally founded in 1964 and by 2015, had 510 stores across 58 countries. Along with its male-focused counterpart Topman, the brand has long been known for their irreverent and forward-thinking approach to fashion trends, once recognized for being at the forefront of what is known in Britain as "high street fashion" or fashion readily available for purchase in cities and commercial areas. However, the brand struggled as they entered the 2010s with more and more retailers turning to online operations to meet consumer needs—a vital strategy that many businesses have used to stay afloat amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Weeks before officially closing in the Philippines, Topshop put everything on sale, giving customers one last chance to shop their pieces.
Beyond Yoga
In the almost-two-years since Metro Manila first went into lockdown, businesses and establishments have shifted their focus to e-commerce and online operations. However, the fitness industry—which has historically relied on large gatherings and enclosed spaces to provide their services—has struggled to do the same. While many fitness centers and gyms have managed to stay afloat thanks to online sessions and outdoor classes, others have been less fortunate—and that includes yoga studio Beyond Yoga, which announced in late September that they would be shutting down after a decade of operation.
"With your help, we managed to stay afloat for a little over a year through digital classes," said the yoga studio in an Instagram post. "Unfortunately, this pandemic has pushed us beyond our limits." They went on to thank their many patrons, saying that they "are grateful for all the years we have shared with you in our QC, Serendra, Greenhills, Alabang, and Rockwell studios." Beloved by many a yogi and fitness enthusiast, Beyond Yoga even landed the number two spot in the 2019 edition of our list of Top 10 Yoga Studios in Manila—a title they continued to hold even as of writing, since the list could not be updated in 2020 and 2021.
Plana Forma
Just days after Beyond Yoga announced their closure, another well-loved name in local fitness bid their customers goodbye. Fitness studio Plana Forma announced on October 4 that they would be shutting down after 11 years of operation. Plana Forma first opened in 2010 with the goal of "build[ing] a community wherein we could share our love for fitness, movement, and the barre technique." They’ve long been known for a unique brand of exercise that merges yoga, Pilates, and dance to create a fun but intense workout.
Following the start of lockdown procedures in March 2020, the studio began offering online classes and continued to do so until their final days. Despite widespread support from their loyal patrons amid the constraints of the pandemic, Plana Forma held their last live class in November. "We are truly grateful to have been able to help each and everyone of you from 2010 to 2021, and have always cherished the trust that you gave us throughout this journey," they wrote on an Instagram post. They noted, however, they they are hopeful that this is not a permanent goodbye and that they’ll have a chance to come back once they’ve regained their footing.
Cinema '76 San Juan
The local film industry hasn't exactly been thriving the last two years and as if the shooting restrictions and temporarily closed movie theaters weren't enough, Cinema ’76 FIlm Society shut down their OG San Juan branch in September. The micro-cinema co-founded by TBA Studios served as one of the rare places where creatives could come together and enjoy the art of filmmaking as a community since they opened in 2016. "Our hearts may be heavy, but we know that this is not goodbye," they said in their Facebook post announcing the closure. "Magkakasama-sama rin tayo ulit sa loob ng sinehan."
Take note that Cinema '76’s other micro-cinema in Quezon City continues to operate and as of writing, is holding indoor screenings. TBA Studios also launched Cinema '76@Home, their own digital platform for streaming movies, in November 2020.
The Craft Central SM North EDSA
It’s always tough to see stores and establishments shut down, but perhaps these closures hit a little closer to home when it's of a space that showcased local artists and creators. Thus, the local art community mourned the loss of arts-and-crafts hub The Craft Central's SM North EDSA outpost in January—the second branch of their five original stores in Metro Manila. Photos on a Facebook post from the hub show the QC shop, once stocked end to end with craft supplies and original art pieces, now empty.
On their last day of operations, The Craft Central thanked customers for their continuous support and for being part of the store's years-long journey. "Though we have closed this branch, we will keep on fighting for our spaces, partners and staff," they wrong on a Facebook post. "We’re hoping that it’s only [the SM North EDSA] that’s closing," said the brand’s representative in a message to SPOT.ph. You can continue to support them through their website or by visiting their other branches in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 5, and Ayala Malls Vertis North.
Honorable Mention: The Comeback Kids
While some stores and establishments shut down for good, others were a little bit luckier. Of all the spots in Metro Manila that closed their doors in 2021, two were able to open back up just before the end of theyear.
FitFlop Philippines
In mid-2021, footwear brand FitFlop announced that they would be closing all their stores in the Philippines with their last day of operations both in stores and online being held on June 30. Having long been a staple for those who like comfy kicks, the brand's closure was mourned by many, but ICYMI: FitFlop is back and reopening selected branches across the country. As early as July—just weeks after their nationwide closure—the brand announced that it had appointed MAP Active Philippines Inc. as its new distributor.
The relaunch officially commenced in October with FitFlop planning to reopen both online and in physical stores. Nine of the footwear brand's stores will reopen in the country and as of writing, they’ve go three outposts in Metro Manila at SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, and Robinsons Place Manila. They’ve also got a branch at SM Pampanga and will soon be opening stores in Trinoma Mall and SM Cabanatuan.
Automatic Centre
It was announced in September that Automatic Centre, one of the oldest appliance and electronics retail stores in the Philippines, would be shutting down effective October 10. In a letter obtained by Esquire Philippines, Automatic Appliances Inc., (the parent company of Automatic Centre) president and CEO Geoffrey Lim said the pandemic has caused "tremendous challenges" on their business. The good news is that Automatic Centre was able to reopen 12 branches just as the year was coming to an end. As of writing, they’ve got newly reopened outposts at Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Market Market, Glorietta 1, and SM North EDSA, just to name a few. You can check out their full list of stores online.
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