CHANGING MODEL:Soaring rent has forced out some old, familiar stores, as hotels for independent travelers and international brand names move into the area

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 13, 2016
By: Staff writer, with CNA

Ximending (西門町), a popular shopping area for young people in western Taipei, is gradually losing its local color as some of its best-known businesses are being driven out by soaring rents and giving way to international brands.

Ximending is seeing changes every week, said Jason Cheung (張哲生), a history and cultural studies expert who has lived in the area for 40 years.

The shopping area, known for its wealth of movie theaters, apparel stores, and toy model and kit shops, has become home to a number of hotels and hostels due to an increase in younger independent tourists staying in the area.     [FULL  STORY]