The story of this cafe in Daocheng is more addictive than coffee

Every corner and every old thing of "Originn Space" may have wonderful stories.

There are many characteristic cafes in various parts of Taiwan, some paying attention to the atmosphere, and some drinking with the focus of the barista. But the most attractive thing about Originn Space, which is located in Tadaocheng, is the guests who come and go and the endless stories one by one.

Guests share the big table of "Originn Space" together, so that people who don't know each other have the opportunity to share each other's stories.

Dadaocheng characteristic Cafe runs one after another. Originn Space, located at the entrance of Dihua Street, is not so much a cafe as a large living room for people to come here to communicate. It is not common to see the furnishings of tables for two to four people in ordinary cafes. Except for the location of the bar, there is almost only a large table on the first floor of "Originn Space". The rest of the space is filled with many old objects collected by the two owners: old sofas, old turntables, old lamps and lanterns. Wait for the design goods.

Tokyo artist Yoko Makiji skillfully imprinted the old Originn Space house and shop cat on the wooden painting, along with a postcard drawn by the former owner "Cat P".

In the warm, lit corner of the old sofa in the large living room, I was particularly attracted by a small picture on the table: a lovely cat lying on the building, the protagonist of the old house "Originn Space" and the late shop cat-Qiao Qiao.

Qiao Qiao was originally a stray cat living in the monkey adit, but was later adopted by cat illustrator "Cat Xiao P". (for more information on how Qiao Qiao changed from a street boss to a withdrawn cat, see "Cat Xiao P" Facebook). Because of the disagreement with the cat in the house of "Cat Xiao P", he was sent to "Originn Space". Coincidentally, he came to the store and met Yoko Makiko, an artist from Tokyo, Japan. So Qiao Qiao was branded into this wooden painting again. Later, Qiao Qiao died of illness. Now, in addition to the works of Yoko Mu, there is also a postcard skillfully painted by "Cat P" on one side of the old stone wall, and the skillful urn is also quietly placed on the side.

The old FAEMA coffee machine in 1962 occasionally lost its temper.

Well, I haven't had the coffee yet, and I haven't finished the story yet. Aco, the store manager, smiled and said, "you see, this teacher who teaches gongs and drums in Dadaocheng has changed from a stranger to a regular customer. Even a 1962 FAEMA antique coffee machine on the bar can still operate freely. As for the handmade biscuits that come with coffee, they also come from the hands of the guests. Only after chatting with the guests did they know that they had issued a baking book, and accidentally opened the opportunity for cooperation." Some antique collectors are the same, so they simply bring valuable antiques to the store.

Harvey, the boss who likes to travel and old things, said that "Originn Space" itself is a house with its own story. In the past, the section of Nanjing West Road from Tacheng Street to Huanhe Road was called Liuguan Street in the Qing Dynasty, where it was intended to receive imperial ministers. In the early years of Showa, six consecutive buildings with baroque style were built by the Banqiao Lin Weiyuan family.

Harvey, who likes the old buildings and the pace of life in Dadaocheng, says that now he rents the old house, hoping that through a big table in the cafe and four rooms upstairs, travelers from all over the world will have a chance to meet here, just like the Daocheng, which gathered businessmen from all over the world in those years, and intertwined with wonderful sparks.

Six consecutive buildings with baroque style are rare street corner buildings. (photo by Lin Chunxu)

Originn Space

Add: 247 Nanjing West Road, Datong District, Taipei

Tel: 02-2558-8843

Business hours: 11, 00, 12, 00, 19, 00.

Web site: www.facebook.com/OrigInnSpace