1/3 of Businesses on Changchun's Mudan Street Coffee Row Have Closed or Relocated

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News Review

On April 4th, the tranquility of Mudan Street in Changchun's Chaoyang District was shattered by a demolition notice, sparking concerns that the neighborhood's cultural atmosphere would disappear.

On April 8th and 10th, relevant officials from the Guili Street Subdistrict Office, Planning Bureau, and Design Department in Changchun's Chaoyang District held coordination meetings with business owners. The illegal structures must be demolished, but the demolition was not meant to eliminate the area's cultural character - rather, it was intended to make Mudan Street even better.

On May 7th, the demolition of illegal structures on Changchun's Mudan Street Coffee Street began, with most distinctive storefront facades being removed.

Three months and two days have passed since that demolition notice was issued. What does Mudan Street look like in the height of summer? Does the bustling, romantic atmosphere of the past still linger? Reporters from Jilin Network and Jike APP revisited Mudan Street Coffee Street to find out.

At the beginning of this article, Jilin Network and Jike APP reporters won't use too many words to describe the scene. Instead, let's first look at several sets of photos, allowing friends and readers to feel the changes with their eyes and hearts.

Photographed on April 8, 2017

Photographed on April 8, 2017

Photographed on July 5, 2017

Photographed on July 5, 2017

Photo provided by business owner

Photographed on July 5, 2017

On Site

All Illegal Structures on Coffee Street Have Been Demolished

When Jilin Network and Jike APP reporters arrived at Mudan Street Coffee Street, the demolition work on the entire street had been completed, and construction workers had already left.

At the site, some abandoned bricks and construction debris could still be seen piled up by the roadside in places.

Standing at the intersection and looking down the entire street, all building facades are completely uniform from top to bottom, with vehicles parked neatly along the roadside.

Occasionally, residents or pedestrians walk by on the street.

Visit

"One-third of businesses have transferred or moved away"

"It's desolate! The whole street exudes a sense of desolation," said a staff member at a restaurant bar under renovation.

Upon learning that they were speaking with reporters, the staff member put down their hammer and dusted off their hands.

"It's been three months since we received the demolition notice," the staff member said. "What was demolished was our storefront facade - 1.5 meters wide and 14 meters long. We removed it ourselves. We knew it was an illegal structure and that the demolition was justified, so we support it. We respond to the policies and calls, but we also have unspeakable hardships in our hearts. You see, on these two streets, there are about 70 businesses, and now about one-third have either transferred out or moved away." The staff member continued, "I roughly calculated that over these three months, our total losses have been quite substantial, reaching several hundred thousand yuan."

Reluctance to Leave

"We're about to move away, leaving the Guili business district where we've lived for 4 years!"

Leaving the restaurant bar under renovation, Jilin Network and Jike APP reporters crossed the street to visit Dongfang Grilled Meat.

The storefront facade was gone, but traces could still be faintly seen on the building.

Pushing open the door, there was no answer.

"Is anyone there?" After the reporter shouted loudly several times, two staff members emerged from inside the restaurant.

After the reporters explained their purpose, the staff members began to chat with them. "It's mealtime now, but there are almost no customers. It's fine, let me tell you - we're about to move away!"

The staff member's gaze drifted toward the mark on the building, and their tone became noticeably subdued. She said, "We've lived and worked here for 4 years, and now that we're suddenly leaving, we're truly reluctant to part with it. Look, these are photos I saved on my phone from before, but now they're gone."

"Why do you have to move away?" asked the Jilin Network and Jike APP reporter.

"Because business is bad. Previously, our monthly income could reach over 100,000 yuan, but now we can only earn about 30,000 yuan. Our revenue has decreased by two-thirds," the staff member said. "We plan to leave the Guili business district and go to another commercial area. The location for our new store has already been selected."

The Jilin Network and Jike APP reporter asked again, "Isn't it good that the government designs storefront facades for businesses and creates a distinctive commercial district?"

"Previously, staff from the subdistrict office said they would come to discuss design ideas with us, but we refused to talk because we're preparing to leave. This place is no longer the coffee street it once was - the atmosphere has completely changed," the staff member said.

Expectations

The newly renovated Guili Cultural District will once again radiate its former charm

The staff member at the restaurant bar under renovation said, "We've been waiting since April, and we also hope this street can recover and not remain so lifeless."

"I remember this time last year, this street should have been at its busiest. Every household was busy preparing for the Happiness Market, where each store would showcase its most distinctive features and invite various craftsmen and artists, attracting many customers," said the Dongfang Grilled Meat staff member with a smile. "The scenes from the past are still vivid in my mind, but now they're all gone forever."

"I don't know if the Happiness Market will continue this year, but we're no longer participating," the staff member said.

Another business owner said, "We're still here because we want to see this street get better. We hope the cultural district created by the government won't disappoint us, and we hope this street will once again radiate its former charm."

Residents

After the demolition, parking is orderly and the street is quieter

By the roadside, Jilin Network and Jike APP reporters interviewed several residents living nearby.

64-year-old Auntie Zhao said, "After these illegal structures were demolished, both sides of the street look much tidier, and cars are parked in an orderly manner."

Auntie Zhao continued, "Most importantly, it's much quieter at night now. My husband couldn't sleep with noise before, but it's much better now."

"As for the culture everyone talks about, I don't understand it well. I think it's fine for young people to like art and express their personalities within bounds, as long as they don't disturb others' rest," Auntie Zhao said.

Relevant Departments

Designing different signs according to each business's style

Jilin Network and Jike APP reporters learned about the progress of the cultural and creative district renovation work from the Guili Street Subdistrict Office in Changchun's Chaoyang District. The cultural and creative district renovation involves 105 businesses affected by the demolition. Currently, 7 businesses have restored their storefront facades on their own after the demolition. The design company has completed designs for over 60 businesses, including wall painting, steps, railings, signs, and awnings, with signs designed differently according to each business's individual style.

Reporters learned from the district's urban management committee that except for the sign designs, all other design drawings have been submitted to the district government. It is planned to issue a tender announcement in mid-July, with construction to begin 26 days after the announcement is issued.

Reporter's Notes

What is culture?

How should culture be inherited and protected?

Walking out of Mudan Street Coffee Street, it was already evening. The weather remained hot, with the afterglow of the sun shining on every building along the street.

Standing across from the street and looking inward, several old buildings stood quietly in the sunlight!

Perhaps, just as they said, last summer this place was bustling with activity. In contrast to the present, one can't help but feel a bit sad and ponder the concept of - culture!

According to Baidu, culture, generally speaking, is a social phenomenon, a product of people's long-term creative formation, and simultaneously a historical phenomenon, representing the accumulation of social history.

Walking back, I couldn't help but think about the past, present, and future of Mudan Street Coffee Street.

Perhaps the future will be beautiful, with infinite possibilities and hope here, as long as we patiently wait and believe! The well-developed cultural and creative district will give businesses a different future!

Important Notice :

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