TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Eslite Xinyi Store, an iconic Taipei bookstore open for 18 years, achieved a record-breaking single-day attendance of 53,000 visitors on Saturday (Dec. 16), surpassing New Year's Eve crowd levels.
The store, set to close its doors on Dec. 24 at 10 p.m., initiated the "Farewell Tour – Retrospective of 18 Years in Xinyi" exhibition last month. This display showcases best-selling books and historic images, evoking gratitude and farewell messages from patrons.
On Dec. 24, the store will host a farewell celebration, featuring a dance performance by "10 Outstanding Young Persons Awards" recipient Billy Chang. An outdoor concert with artists like ABAO, Won Fu band, and Pa Pun Band will take place until 10 p.m. at the store's first-floor plaza.
At 3 p.m., Wu Min-chieh, Eslite's chairman, will read patrons' messages and later join the Eslite team and readers for the final countdown at 10 p.m.
Eslite's 24-hour bookstore legacy will continue at Eslite Songyan Store from Jan. 20, tripling its book volume and expanding to over 100,000 products. It will offer cultural spaces including the "Eslite Music Store" as the sole 24-hour record store in Taiwan.
According to reports, the Songyan store will integrate various cafes, a cinema, performance hall, art gallery, and a wine cellar, redefining the 24-hour bookstore experience.
