Community spirit revives old Tainan neighborhood

2015/07/20

A quiet, sleepy block at the heart of Tainan City’s old downtown has become a hip and happening neighborhood in recent years, with locals attributing the transformation to strong community cohesion and a shared vision.

The Cinderella story taking place on Zhengxing Street, West Central District, is not by design nor by coincidence, according to Erik Kao, owner of Rainbow is Coming—the first boutique to open on the century-old street in 2010.

“We never wanted it to be another trendy shopping district converted from Japanese colonial-era [1895-1945] buildings,” Kao said. “Rather, we started out with a common affection for the living, breathing history around every corner.”

The initiative, more about building a community than running businesses, is based on teamwork and listening to the locals and sharing in their hopes and fears. “What follows naturally is a neighborhood thriving on constant revival and innovation,” he added.

As a new resident relocated from Taipei City, Kao began incorporating himself into the community by working with existing establishments. Among them is Taicheng Fruit Shop, which has been in business on the street for 70-plus years. The little fruit vendor is one of the most talked about tourist attractions in Tainan as a result of assistance in developing new business ideas and creative products.

“Add block parties, music festivals and street fairs into the marketing mix, and visitor numbers are seeing exponential growth,” Kao said. “The whole neighborhood is united as one and is attracting more like-minded businesses as hipster joints Iori Tea House, JJ-W Culture Design Hotel and Ninao Gelato.”

Starting in November 2014, a travel magazine exclusively for Zhengxing Street began publishing on a quarterly basis. Kao expects this initiative to further the community’s shared vision of good living in addition to good business.

More like an extended family than a trade union, Kao said Zhengxing Street collective proves that small businesses can band together to fend off the encroachment of shopping malls or modern consumerism.

“We represent a lifestyle defined by our distinctive community, and we aim to keep it that way.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232736&ctNode=413)