With the recent spatial renovation and cultural revitalization efforts at Shuili First Public Market, the market has evolved beyond its traditional trading location into a platform for diverse exchange and community co-creation. Against this backdrop, the Shuilikeng and Jiji shopping districts, embracing the philosophy of "bringing reading into everyday life," have established a small and welcoming organic bookstore on B1 of the market, embarking on an experimental journey that integrates market and culture.
This bookstore, centered around the principle of "book exchange," encourages residents to donate and exchange books, fostering a cycle of knowledge and stories within the community through the circulation and sharing of books. The collection covers topics such as sustainable living, local culture, and picture books. The open and relaxed space allows children to browse freely, and adults can also enjoy a short reading while shopping.
Over the past few weeks, children have been stopping by the bookstore to read after school or while accompanying their parents to the market. Some sit on the floor, immersed in the picture books, while others curiously ask, "Can I borrow a book to take home?" These sincere interactions have become the bookstore's most beautiful scenery, and have also strengthened the business team's belief that the combination of books and markets can open up new cultural possibilities for the community.
The birth of the bookstore symbolizes another aspect of the revitalization of the Shuili Vegetable Market—extending from the transformation of stalls to the creation of a cultural space, and from hardware renovation to the transformation of daily life. Future plans also include collaborations with parent-child groups to organize storytelling activities, young bookstore assistant experiences, and cultural tours, making the market more than just a place to buy vegetables, but also a community node for generations to connect and exchange knowledge.
