By KHT Staff
PINGTUNG — Vendors at the Pingtung West Market [屏東西市場] are taking matters into their own hands to save the struggling facility, reaching a consensus to implement a “roll call” [點名制] system to eliminate inactive stalls. The move comes as the NT$200 million (US$6.2 million) air-conditioned market continues to battle negative reviews and low local attendance since its high-profile reopening in mid-2024.
The Market Self-Government Association [西市場自治會] announced Sunday that the new system aims to break a “vicious cycle” where shuttered stalls discourage customers from visiting. Association head Hsu Han-syuan [許涵絢] estimated that between 10 and 15 underperforming stalls will be removed to make room for active businesses. The association has also urged the Pingtung County Government to allow for daily rental options to increase market vitality.
A Five-Star Struggle
Opened officially on July 16, 2024, the Pingtung West Market was marketed as Southern Taiwan’s first five-star, green-certified indoor market, featuring full climate control and automatic ventilation. However, the facility has struggled to live up to its “department store-style” branding. Residents have cited persistent oil fume odors, insufficient parking, and a lack of traditional market “atmosphere” as primary reasons for staying away.
While the market sees moderate traffic from out-of-town tourists, particularly from Kaohsiung and Tainan, Pingtung locals have largely ignored the venue, leading some critics and city councilors to label the project a “mosquito hall” [蚊子館].
Digital and Delivery Pivot
Faced with empty aisles on weekdays, active vendors have shifted toward digital and delivery-based survival strategies, including group deliveries and live-streamed sales: Some stall owners host live broadcasts directly from their booths, drawing customers from as far as Neipu [內埔].
Pingtung County Councilor Chen Yang [陳揚] stated that while he respects the vendors’ decision to self-regulate, the county government must do more to improve the market’s physical conditions. The county is expected to finalize upgrades to the market’s exhaust systems later this year to address the smell issues.
KHT Editorial Comment
The failure of this NT$200 million project to capture the local demographic highlights a significant gap between “award-winning architecture” and actual market utility. The Association’s claim that 70% of vendors struggled shortly after opening suggests that the high-end boutique model may not have been properly vetted for the Pingtung City market.
Location Map
The Pingtung West Market is located at No. 320, Heping Road, Pingtung City. Open Pingtung West Market in Google Maps
Sources: China Times: Pingtung West Market Implements Roll Call to Turn the Tide
CNA: Pingtung West Market Official Opening and Hours
