Special Limited Editions in Collaboration with Tainan’s Time-Honored Shops: A Complete Guide to Must-Buy Items at Laiyi Department Store

Reported and photographed by Reporter You T-Ru / Tainan




A view of Tainan’s streetscape from Laiyi Department Store.

Before talking about the products, one must first mention “A-Gui” inside Laiyi Department Store. The two transparent old cabinets placed at the entrance on the first floor carry a touching old story that’s worth sharing here. Though the story is old, like aged wine, anyone who hears it can sense the warmth and human touch of Tainan.These two old cypress wood glass cabinets were used from the opening of Laiyi Department Store in 1932 until 1941. After the department store closed at that time, they were sold for a symbolic one dollar to then-employee Li Xiquan. They accompanied Li as he opened an antique shop, and after his passing, his descendants donated them to the National Museum of Taiwan History.

Before the reopening of Laiyi Department Store, the municipal government learned that these two cabinets were housed at the National Museum of Taiwan History. They specially contacted the museum to bring the two old cabinets “back home,” placing them once again in the first-floor lobby of Laiyi Department Store. “A-Gui waited quietly, believing that the day would come when it would reopen.” After waiting silently for 73 years, the two old cabinets have finally returned to Laiyi Department Store. Unfortunately, the late Li Xiquan did not live to see this scene, but his son was there to witness it. At the reopening, Tainan Mayor Lai Qingde unveiled the red cloth covering the cabinets to celebrate their return.


▲ The two A-Gui cabinets, after waiting 73 years, have finally returned to Laiyi Department Store.

The story of A-Gui marks the beginning of Laiyi Department Store. In order to combine Tainan’s important history with new-era culture,Laiyi collaborated with Gaoqing Development and several local businesses in Tainan and across Taiwan to launch souvenirs and limited-edition products themed around the department store. These include cultural and creative items, genuine emotions, and the strong human touch of Tainan people. 《ETtoday Eastday News Cloud》 will introduce, floor by floor, the Laiyi-exclusive merchandise and historically resonant shops for travelers’ reference.

First Floor “The Good Living Room”:

Zhenfa Tea-Originating as a century-old tea shop established in 1860, Zhenfa Tea is a well-known handmade tea store in Tainan. It uses locally sourced Taiwanese tea leaves, and each tea package is hand-packed by employees and printed with the Laiyi Department Store design. In addition to being displayed in the first-floor shop, the tea is also placed on top of A-Gui, serving as an important symbol of Laiyi’s heritage.



I-Pie- Also displayed on A-Gui, I-Pie carries a 300-year story. One hundred years represent the history of the old i-pie shop Laifapie; another 100 years represent the seal shop Xinwentang, which engraved the Laiyi “Lin” logo; and the last 100 years represent the hope of the now 82-year-old Laiyi Department Store — “the hope that Laiyi can exist for over a hundred years.” Laiyi’s public relations representative Tseng ?-Yin mentioned that the Laiyi wording on the I-Pie went through dozens of tests, adjusting the width of the characters and the size after baking, resulting in a limited-edition product available only at Laiyi.



In addition to the above two, there are also souvenirs from Heiqiaopai and Yishengtang, all featuring Laiyi’s patterns and exterior designs. Travelers are advised to look carefully and explore slowly to discover more fun and creatively designed goods.

%Many interesting items can be found in collaborations between the shop and local Tainan producers.


Second Floor “The Good Design”:

1300 White Porcelain Creation “Sword Lion”-Taiwan’s local 1300 Fine Porcelain brand, known for many significant ceramic works, collaborated with Laiyi to launch the “Anping Elegance” Sword Lion porcelain. Combining Anping’s traditional talisman “Sword Lion” with the architectural exterior of Laiyi Department Store, they designed a unique souvenir that showcases deep cultural characteristics.



Synthetic Canvas Shop “Laiyi Department Store Tote Bag”- The well-known schoolbag shop Synthetic Canvas Shop in Tainan, with its deeply rooted presence in locals’ hearts, collaborated with Laiyi to launch a version of the canvas tote bag. Color is the main feature, with the brown color of the building’s Japanese colonial-era exterior incorporated into various sizes of canvas bags.


▲%The colors and tones are inspired by the exterior colors of the historic building.


Third Floor “The Good Fashion”:

Bieyu Metalwork “Architecture Series”- Specializing in European antique jewelry and collaborating with various fine artists and designers, Tainan’s Bieyu Metalwork launched the “Building” series in conjunction with designer Zhao Yonghui for the Laiyi opening. The jewelry features shapes and structural forms of buildings, making it quite unique.


▲%The pieces feature various perspectives of architectural forms.
 

Minglin Lace-Established in 1959 and with over 50 years of history, Minglin Lace mainly produces custom uniforms. Packaged in gift box shapes, it represents the meaning of heritage across eras. With meticulous handmade craftsmanship, it is a local Tainan enterprise with its factory also located in Tainan, emphasizing the important concept of “life aesthetics.”


▲%An artwork inspired by Jianguo Department Store, reflecting its significant place in history.


A "Linen Department Store T-shirt" designed by Guardian.Three limited-edition T-shirts of the Lin Department Store combine the opening years 1932 and 2014, along with new-style Facebook check-in graphics, the Taiwan blue magpie, and the exterior of the Lin Department Store, each showcasing a distinct style of wear.

 
▲%The design offers multiple color and pattern options for easy matching.