Taiwan’s oldest book shop, the Regent Store, reopens to acclaim in Taichung

Taiwan''s oldest book shop, the Regent Store, has just reopened after a NT$30 million redecoration project. The Taichung landmark specializes in religious and spiritual books, and has a special place in the history of Taiwan''s cultural heritage. Now it plans to start offering sessions with religious and psychology counselors. Another Taichung book mecca, Central Bookstore, also reopened in 2019 after a hiatus of 20 years, reflecting the resurgence of the arts and culture sector in the city. These old photos tell the story of Regent Store''s first 100 years of business. Now with an injection of NT$30 million over two years, the oldest book store in Taiwan has a new lease of life. Member of public It feels very bright and fresh. There''s greenery setting off the books. Old patrons have poured back into the newly spruced-up space. Its zen aesthetic is a hit. Member of public It is Taiwan''s oldest book store, after all. Actually at the moment there''s no other store in Taiwan that specializes in divination, religion and spiritual matters like this. The Regent Store was founded in 1912. Founder Hsu Ko-sui許克綏first opened a seed store. During the Japanese Occupation of Taiwan, he opened a book shop and began printing books in Chinese, to preserve traditional Chinese culture. It wasn''t an easy path. Hsu Chin-chung Regent Store chairman During the Japanese occupation, he wanted to pass on Chinese culture. So he tried to bring over books from China into Taiwan that were more traditional, or had some benefit for the spirit. Now the store specializes in religion, divination, spiritual and humanities titles. And it''s planning to branch out into offering sessions in a special healing room. Hsu Chin-chung Regent Store chairman We will invite divination masters and psychological counselors to use the space, or to take bookings, and people can come for sessions with them. With its gentle lighting and cosy reading space, Central Bookstore is another almost-centenarian book shop in Taichung. It opened in 1927 and was the largest Chinese-language book store during the Japanese era. It closed in 1998, but with the revival of the arts and culture sector, reopened in 2019. Its minimalist, culturati vibe has made it a hot Instagram spot for the intelligentsia of Taichung.

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