Eslite Xinyi’s closure sparks nostalgia for Chen Shui-bian

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The popular Eslite Xinyi Store in Taipei closed its doors on Christmas Eve 2023 when its lease expired, evoking nostalgia and regret in former President Chen Shui-bian. Chen stated that if he were still the mayor of Taipei, he would have pleaded with part owners to keep the store running.

Chen tipped his hat to the Eslite Dunnan branch, the world's first 24-hour bookstore, which concluded its distinguished run in May 2020. The closure, he said, was particularly hard to swallow.

Reflecting on 1989, when Eslite opened its first store near the Renai roundabout, Chen recalled the Dunnan area store's relocation to the "Dunnan Financial Building" in 1995. The move inspired a "Non-closing Tonight" party, fueling the idea of 24-hour service and becoming a landmark in Taipei tourism.

Chen recalled proposing directly to Robert Wu, then-chairman of Eslite Corp. His proposal garnered support, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Eslite Dunnan store.

"Taipei city is not lacking department stores, but it cannot be without Eslite," Chen emphasized. He expressed gratitude to the Shin Kong Group for securing the Eslite Dunnan store's presence for 25 years.

Chen expressed deep emotion over the closing of the Eslite Xinyi Store, a place of many youthful memories over its 18-year existence. Reflecting on his past pleas for Eslite stores, he felt the weight of the closure even more.