An old mix in a modern space
As for the Longshan Temple Underground Bazaar, visitors there are few and far between, and the place is practically a ghost town. But why?
The market's administrator, the Taipei City Market Administration Office (TCMA), explains that the market was intended to operate under a different model. Rather than the model of the traditional market, with each person running their own small, cramped, dark, and damp stall however they please, the new market was divided into four themed areas-fortune telling, general goods, snacks, and a food court-each with 48 stalls of between three and 10 square meters in area, in the hopes that vendors would start joint ventures. The goal of all of this was to increase the scale of the market while reducing costs and improving overall quality and business opportunities.
While such a modern business model may have been a good idea, unfortunately it was being used on the wrong target. Associate professor of sociology at Fu Jen Catholic University and a Wanhua native herself, Tai Po-fen says that in her experience, these small vendors do forge "alliances," but don't really tend to organize things, so one seven-square-meter store can have underwear on one side, jade on the other. Not only does this make circulation around the store difficult, it can leave customers confused as to what business this eye-catching, but oddly positioned store is really in.
As the TCMA explains, this is largely because the stallholders are long-experienced with traditional stalls, are generally older, and are not so well acquainted with creating brand images or marketing their products. This is compounded by being so close to Sanshui and Guangzhou Streets and having a fairly similar product range, meaning consumers may consider that making a particular point of going into this underground mall is insufficiently appealing.
In addition to providing more guides to the mall at entrances and improving lighting, amongst other physical improvements, the TCMA is inviting bands to perform in the mall each weekend and organizing occasional seminars for the public. All of this is in the hopes of once again attracting people to the market.
Hong Wenhe, chair of the market's First-Floor Merchants Association, also points out that in addition to the places that moved from the old Longshan Market-like fortune tellers, folk arts stores, boutiques, karaoke places, and food stalls-some of the new market is also being sub-let to companies, including a Giordano outlet store and the only branch on Taiwan proper of Kinmen's Liangjin Beef Jerky; overall the market enjoys a 96% occupancy rate, there has been a clear rise in visitors year-on-year, and some major chain stores are in negotiations for store space.
After its completion, Bangka Park became another major landmark for the Wanhua district, but thus far to most people, the park remains a place best avoided.