Thrina Low’s story is an unexpected one. After two decades in the corporate world — starting as an engineer and later transitioning into human resources — she took the plunge to become an entrepreneur, opening Bakery Brera in 2016.
Originally from Muar, Johor, Thrina, 59, was the middle child in a bustling family of 11. Growing up in a kampong, her home was always full of life, with her mother frequently hosting neighbours and cooking up large pots of food to share.
After finishing her studies, Thrina made the move to Singapore, where she met and married a local semiconductor salesman — thanks to an introduction from her sister, who had crossed paths with him in Malacca.
In 2010, life took another turn when her husband’s work led the family to the Philippines. It was during this chapter that Thrina truly discovered her love for feeding people.
"I cooked everything—pizza, pasta, Chinese food, all kinds of meat. I loved it, and my guests really enjoyed it too."
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The birth of Bakery Brera
After Thrina returned to Singapore, a chance encounter allowed her to revisit her love for hosting. She was offered an opportunity to take over a shop space at Empress Road. Thrina was hesitant initially, as she had no prior experience in running a business on her own.
After lots of soul-searching — and running into a baker looking for a job — Thrina took a leap of faith and launched Bakery Brera.
The cafe specialises in freshly baked artisan breads and pastries, made with top-quality ingredients from France and Japan. Their bakes have garnered praise from food lovers in Singapore, with their croissants, kouign-amanns, cruffins, and Basque burnt cheesecakes among the popular favourites.
The devout Christian credits her success to her faith.
For the next seven years, Thrina poured her heart into Bakery Brera. Business at the bakery continued to rise steadily, attracting a group of loyal customers who showed constant support, turning it into a cherished spot in the Empress Road neighbourhood.
With the success of her bakery, Thrina considered venturing into a dine-in concept with a twist. She envisioned creating a space where the elderly could gather, feel cherished, and share their stories — much like her own family had done in their kampong home.
With this intention, she partnered with Reunion, a social space for seniors within the National Museum of Singapore, to launch Café Brera in March 2023.
Beyond baked goods, Café Brera carries a more extensive menu for those craving something heartier. Diners can choose from local delights such as chicken curry with bread to slightly more fusion offerings like steamed otah sandwiches and hae bee hiam baguettes.
The café is also thoughtfully designed to accommodate the elderly, offering roomier seating areas and a wheelchair-friendly covered walkway leading to the entrance.
Café Brera’s mission
Extending her vision of creating a welcoming space for the elderly, most of the staff Thrina hires are also seniors. To accommodate the needs of her employees, Thrina closes her bakeries at 6pm and provides flexible working hours, ensuring her employees have time for medical appointments.
Café Brera is also positioned beside Reunion at the museum and often serves as a space for the elderly and their caregivers to connect.
Credit: Thrina Low
Partnering with organisations like Dementia Singapore, the café regularly hosts events such as Memories Café — a programme designed for individuals with dementia and their caregivers to connect in a safe and supportive space.
Credit: Thrina Low
It is due to this belief in walking the talk that Thrina hired an employee with dementia through a Therapy Through Work programme. This employee, who also faces challenges with anger management, found that working at Café Brera’s tranquil and supportive environment contributed to improved emotional regulation. By the end of this programme, he experienced a notable decrease in his anger issues.
Like most F&B businesses in Singapore Thrina also faces the difficult reality of staff turnover, including the departure of her head baker.
Thrina envisions her team extending their impact beyond Singapore, with plans to teach youth at risk in Cambodia and Vietnam the skills needed to run a business.
