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Shihlin night market facelift to begin next week

Workmen install plumbing and electrical systems at the new temporary location of the Shihlin Nightmarket, slated to open in late October. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Wang Chun-yun (王春雲), 46, a homemaker and mother of three is very happy to know that one of Taiwan's top tourist destinations, the Shihlin Nightmarket, is going to get a face-lift.

"The Shihlin night market attracts hundreds of foreigners every year, so after seeing rats running around in the market, I think the place really needs a clean-up," Wang told the Taipei Times yesterday.

Next Thursday, the Taipei City Government is going to move the more than 80-year-old nightmarket to a new temporary indoor facility just a stone's throw away across the road from Chientan MRT station. While some stores and vendors are not entirely sold on the plan, they will have little choice after next Thursday.

"On Oct 10, the government will cut off the water and power supplies for Shihlin market and mandate all vendors to move to the temporary market," said Feng Chiu-huo (馮秋火), chief secretary of the Taipei City Market Administration.

In an effort to convert the dark and dirty traditional market into a safe and more comfortable environment, the government set up a five-year planearlier this year to overhaul the old site.

The first floor of the two-floor temporary market will hold 539 booths -- including 200 food stalls and 339 retailers selling souvenirs, nightmarket knickknacks and clothes.

The second floor will serve as a parking lot for about 400 cars.

A yet-to-be-built six-story complex will replace the patchwork of lanes and alleys that form the current nightmarket in three years time, Feng said.

The government invested NT$130 million in building the temporary market facility and has allocated more than NT$600 million for the permanent complex, according to Feng.

If all goes well, vendors will be moved into the temporary market and ready to open for business in late October.

So far, retailers are mixed on the face-lift plan.

"I am upbeat about moving to the temporary place because it's even closer to the MRT station and can attract more visitors," said Hung Jung-tung (洪榮通), 48, father of two, who has run a noodle stall for over 20 years in the market.

"Currently, many customers complain that it's hard to find parking space in the neighborhood, but with the new parking lot on the second floor, I hope the public will come more often," said Chang kuei-mai (張桂美), 39, mother of three, who has managed a teppenyaki stall in the market for 18 years.

She said sales at her stall dropped more than 50 percent after the economy went south late last year.

"Recently our business has reached the bottom ? we hope this move can be a good opportunity to boost sales," Chang said.

Meanwhile, one oldtimer said she hates to see things change.

"I've been running a food stall in the market for over 32 years?I don't see anything wrong with the way things are now," said Chen Chao-Chih (陳朝枝), a 62-year-old grandmother.

Meanwhile, one student from nearby Ming Chuan University scouring the market's stalls yesterday sided with Grandma Chen. "It's the disorder that makes Shihlin night market so unique?I come here for the crowds and chaos," said 21-year old sophomore Jennifer Ho (何怡昀).
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