Online shopping forces closure of Chiayi bookstore “Book Lovers” — but relief is in sight as Y.C. Group steps in

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Compiled by staff

The Chiayi bookstore “Book Lovers,” which decided to close due to the rise of online shopping, shut its doors at the end of last month. Now comes good news: recently, a notice was put up in front of the store officially announcing that it will be taken over by “Y.C. Cultural Tourism.” The new venture will continue the spirit of Book Lovers under a fresh identity, “Y.C. Book Lovers,” and is expected to reopen as early as the end of this year.


▲ The independent bookstore “Book Lovers Cultural Plaza,” which has a history of nearly 25 years. (Photo / Provided by Y.C. Cultural Tourism)

Located on Zhongshan Road in Chiayi City, the independent bookstore “Book Lovers Cultural Plaza,” which has a history of nearly 25 years, officially closed last month, leaving many locals heartbroken. The owner, Mrs. Liang Qiulan, once expressed hope for a miracle that could keep the bookstore alive. Upon hearing the news, the local Chiayi enterprise “Y.C. Cultural Tourism” immediately began actively reaching out, hoping to preserve the bookstore and the history and memories of the people of Chiayi.

Dai Shu-ling, General Manager of Y.C. Group, said that Book Lovers holds important memories from her youth and has enriched the lives and growth memories of Chiayi over the past 20-plus years. To prevent those memories from fading, they decided to continue its legacy and relight the lamp of Book Lovers.


▲ All over 200 large and small bookshelves will be donated. (Photo / Provided by Y.C. Cultural Tourism)


The new “Y.C. Book Lovers” will have four floors, with themes still closely tied to the spirit of local cultural creativity. It will be planned around local products such as mountains, sea, and plains, using these as the themes for each floor. With the “bookstore” as the main axis, the concept will extend to the exhibits and book selections on each level. In addition to maintaining bookstore operations, it will adopt a mixed-use model to attract Taiwan’s local cultural and creative brands, while also adding relevant exhibition and performance spaces to host various artistic and cultural events by art groups.

In the preparatory phase of “Y.C. Book Lovers,” the team hopes to give back to the Chiayi community in the name of Book Lovers. Over 200 large and small bookshelves from the original store will be donated in full to local charitable organizations and institutions in Chiayi, including the Chiayi Vocational Training Center for People with Disabilities, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation, and the World Peace Association (a registered nonprofit organization). At the same time,they are also inviting relevant civic groups to get in touch if they need to claim bookshelves. Please contact Mr. Huang of Y.C. Cultural Tourism before August 20. Contact number: 05-2756911.