Sands China's Community Revitalization Programme 2026 for Rua das Estalagens
To continuously support the Macao SAR government's policy of promoting community revitalization and economic diversification, Sands China proudly launches a Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens in 2026 - an advanced version that continues the initial programme momentum of the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens launched in 2024 that supported 7 local SMEs to start businesses on the street. This programme remains as part of the Sands Resorts Incubation Center of the company's F.I.T. local SME support programme.
The programme was launched under the theme of “integrating the old with the new, bridging the past into future.” Building on the success of the inaugural “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens” in 2024, the programme continues to provide entrepreneurship subsidies to encourage a new batch of SMEs to establish a presence on Rua das Estalagens. In addition, the newly introduced “Shop Rebranding Programme” supports existing businesses in upgrading their brand image and operational capabilities through initiatives such as brand repositioning, shopfront refurbishment, new product and service development, and system enhancements.
This year’s revitalization programme was met with an encouraging response, drawing a total of 69 applications. Following the evaluation process, 24 projects were selected this year, including 11 entrepreneurship proposals and 13 rebranding plans, spanning a diverse range of businesses such as dine-in and takeaway, retail, cultural and creative, fashion, travel photography, and pet grooming. Together with the inaugural programme, the two editions have received nearly 200 applications in total.
To support the recruitment efforts for both editions of the programme, Sands China organised a total of 15 free public events, bringing together representatives from relevant government departments, industry experts, and academics to provide practical entrepreneurship and operational training alongside professional guidance. Participants were also given the opportunity to visit selected shops on Rua das Estalagens, enabling them to gain first-hand insights into the district’s unique character, business environment and the condition of available shop premises, and better prepare for the development of their business proposals. The event series drew widespread interest, attracting more than 1,300 participants in total.
Under the “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens,” applications were assessed through a comprehensive evaluation of factors, including the proposal’s innovativeness, market potential, and business model, as well as the capabilities and experience of the operating team. Selected applicants must commit to a self-invested initial operating capital of no less than MOP 300,000 and each receive subsidies equivalent to one to two times the amount of the self-invested capital, with a capped amount of MOP 1 million.
Meanwhile, applications of the “Shop Rebranding Programme” were evaluated on the basis of the proposed rebranding ideas, their contribution to the district’s renewal efforts, and the soundness of the financial planning. Selected merchants need to commit to a minimum self-invested capital of MOP 50,000. Selected applications can receive subsidies equivalent to one to three times the amount of the self-invested capital, capped at MOP 500,000 per applicant.
The winning enterprises under the “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens”:
| Awarded SMEs | Business Concept |
|---|---|
| Ho’s Coffee | A trendy café combining immersive magical experiences, specialty coffee and holistic wellness |
| COINERY | Macao’s first workshop offering a hands-on experience in crafting rings from coins |
| Gengfu Chenpi Queen Wellness Centre | A wellness tea shop specialising in chenpi-infused beverages, chenpi products and gift sets |
| BO LO BO LO MEOW | A lifestyle store offering seasonal specialty beverages, handmade pineapple cakes, butter cookies and cultural and creative accessories |
| VAYNE | A California-style fast-casual takeaway eatery |
| Fong’s Faction | An innovative tailor shop combining 55 years of traditional craftsmanship with AI technology and 3D body scanning |
| VALUN | A contemporary Chinese tea culture space newly created by a renowned heritage brand, combining tea retail, creative tea-infused desserts, traditional and innovative tea beverages, and immersive tea ceremony experiences |
| Woop Woop Cafe | A brunch café specialising in açaí and healthy light bites |
| Haul | A takeaway shop specialising in premium hand-brewed teas and specialty light bites |
| MONO STUDIO | A one-stop travel photography studio offering styling and costume changes, on-location shoots and same-day photo delivery, allowing visitors to capture their memories of Macao’s Historic Centre |
| KII KII | A Japanese-inspired lifestyle store combining curated vintage fashion, original-label apparel, light bites and coffee, collaborations with local IPs, and retro instant photography experiences |
The winning enterprises under the “Shop Rebranding Programme”:
| Awarded SMEs | Shop description |
|---|---|
| Ngan Kong Hap Kei Cong Si | A traditional fabric shop established in the early 1950s, with over 70 years of history |
| Carimbos Gravações Wan Chai | A local stamp and stationery shop whose brand was established around 1960 and has a history spanning over six decades, with its Rua das Estalagens store opening in 1974 |
| Artigos de Viagem Iat Seng | A local menswear retailer specialising in business attire, with over 30 years of history |
| Ieng Seng Boutique | A local luggage and backpack retailer established in 2003, with over 23 years of history |
| PANPAN | One of the selected projects of the 2024 “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens,” specialising in sourdough baked goods |
| Macau Spirit | A brand established in 2016, with its Rua das Estalagens store opening in 2025, specialising in tanghulu ice cream desserts |
| PS-Together Pet Salon | A pet grooming and retail shop established in 2020 |
| UK CASTLE | A British-style takeaway eatery established in 2024 |
| FUWA FUWA CAKES | A local dessert and cake shop established in 2023 |
| Café Fantart | One of the selected projects of the 2024 “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens,” offering an innovative take on the traditional cha chaan teng with premium house-made pastries, a variety of baked goods and savoury main dishes |
| Ravina Limitada | A rock tea beverage shop established in 2023 |
| COME TRUE | A three-storey retail concept established in 2025, bringing together artisanal ice cream, tea beverages, desserts and locally designed apparel and lifestyle products |
| Glow Gelato | A gelato shop and one of the selected projects of the 2024 “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens” |
