Hong Kong actress Natalie Tong’s bakery 33 Cubread, which initially saw great success, is now reportedly struggling with a decline in customer traffic.
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Hong Kong actress Natalie Tong. Photo from Tong’s Instagram |
According to The Star, opened last year, 33 Cubread specializes in Japanese-style toasts and croissants. Located in the busy Causeway Bay district, the 65-square-meter bakery quickly garnered attention, largely due to Tong’s hands-on involvement in baking and personally serving customers. This approach generated online buzz, helping the bakery gain popularity.
At its peak, 33 Cubread had to double its daily production from 500 to 1,000 items to keep up with demand. Despite the increased output, products still sold out rapidly. To manage the rush, each customer was limited to five loaves, and only four groups were allowed inside at a time, according to HK01.
The bakery’s initial success was further highlighted when Tong moved from Seaview Garden to an upscale 185-square-meter residence in the Mid-Levels district, fueling speculation about her growing wealth.
However, recent visitors have noticed a significant drop in foot traffic at the bakery.
“There were no queues like I expected,” one customer shared online. “Maybe it’s just the weather, or maybe I was lucky.”
Concerns about the bakery’s pricing have also surfaced, with one commenter remarking: “Over HK$50 (US$6.4) for a square loaf? No wonder there’s no queue.”
Tong, 44, began her career with Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK and made her screen debut in the 2000 film “Youth @ Y2K.” She joined TVB in 2003, initially taking on supporting roles, and gained popularity after securing her first lead role in the 2008 romantic drama “The Seventh Day.”
The actress left TVB in 2023, announcing her decision to transition to stage plays and pursue a career as a screenwriter.
