[Taichung 台中] Fantasy Story ♦ 范特喜 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Nov 2018 | Mar 2017 | Nov 2014 >

Fantasy Story 范特喜 is one of my earliest haunts in Taichung, before I got more adventurous. Way before I first visited Shenji (Audit) 368 New Village 審计368新创聚落, I had already been here thrice.

Though both cultural zones are similar two-storey clusters and absolutely great for treasure hunting and chilling out, Fantasy Story 范特喜's more laidback and artsy charm presents a different ambience from Shenji (Audit) 368 New Village 審计368新创聚落's crowded daily-bazaar vibe.

Related read:
[Taichung 台中] Shenji (Audit) 368 New Village 審计368新创聚落

Consisting of primarily:
- a stretch of two-storey houses on Zhong Xing First Lane 中兴一巷, termed as Green Ray 绿光计划; and
- a handful more shops dispersed along Zhong Xing Road中兴路 and adjacent Xiang Shang North Road 向上北路, Gong Yi Road 公益路 and Mei Cun Road 美村路 ,
Fantasy Story 范特喜 continues to develop and refresh, with new tenants and temporary (pop-up) shops, so follow their official FB for the latest info!

Located within ten minutes walk from each other, it may be logical to plan both cultural zones on the same day. Though noting that each has enough to see and do at a leisurely pace, and well worth spending a whole afternoon.

Note: Photos are taken over three visits, and tenants change over time.

▼ Depending on which side you approach from, I am using this corner three-storey house located at Green Ray 绿光计划 to start my stroll. While not always occupied or open, it appeared to be an event and pop-up store venue.

Separated by a narrow lane, is Green Ray 绿光计划's two-storey cluster. Converted from old dormitories of a water supply company, the raw brick finishings and nooks and crannies give this area a very rustic charm.

▼ One of my favourite local labels - inBlooom 印花乐 has a lovely store here.

▼ cani 生活有机棉 was another long-time label here, which has since moved to a nearby location. Their baby and child products made from organic cotton are also available in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

▼ After strolling the ground level, be sure to check out the upper storeys, accessible only via these stairways.

▼ More gems on the second floor, including quaint cafes and specialty shops, some in amazingly tight spaces.

▼ These open-air "rooftop" seatings are a nice touch to the area, and for enjoying some (albeit limited offerings of) F&B.

▼ A quiche and tart shop - Urara 阁楼上的咸派 - was a cafe I enjoyed on two occasions, though they have since moved to another location.

▼ Not usually a fan of lemon tart (or most things sour), theirs was light and refreshing, though still a tad sourish for my liking.

▼ My preferred savoury taste - mushroom & bacon quiche + iced strawberry raspberry tea.

▼ Moving on along Zhong Xing Road 中兴路 in the direction of Xiang Shang North Road 向上北路... though more of a quick stroll than exploring in depth, which I will save for another visit.

Besides the designated Fantasy Story 范特喜 tenants, there are other interesting shops and cafes along the way. Like Who's Tea 胡子茶 at this end of my walk.