December 13, 2025 | Taichung, Taiwan
A long-standing fast-food landmark in Taichung’s South District has come to a close, but a lighthearted message from a neighboring business has transformed the moment into a widely shared story online.
Located along Section 2 of Fuxing Road, a KFC outlet that had operated for more than 30 years recently ceased operations after its lease expired. The restaurant stood next to a McDonald’s branch, with a local lingerie store situated between the two global fast-food brands—an arrangement that had become a familiar sight for generations of residents.
Following the KFC’s closure, the lingerie shop placed a sign at its entrance reading, “Grandpa has retired, Uncle please keep going,” a playful reference to the mascots of KFC and McDonald’s. Photos of the sign were quickly shared on social media, prompting lively discussion and praise from netizens, many of whom described the message as creative, warm, and full of community spirit. Some online users humorously replied, “If only grandma were still here,” adding to the viral conversation.
The Fuxing Road area was once known locally as a “fast-food street,” with KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Napoli, and Domino’s all located within a 200-meter stretch, while a MOS Burger operated across the street. In recent years, however, several brands have relocated or closed, with KFC’s departure marking another significant change in the neighborhood’s commercial landscape.
The lingerie shop, itself a long-established business, said the sign was intended to express its reluctance to see a longtime neighbor leave, as well as its hope that the surrounding commercial district would continue to prosper. The owner also noted that earlier this year, renovations at the adjacent McDonald’s resulted in construction barriers covering much of the lingerie store’s frontage, leading some customers to mistakenly believe the shop had closed and affecting foot traffic.
This time, the humorous message served a dual purpose—commemorating a familiar presence while reminding passersby that the lingerie store remains open. The approach appears to have resonated, with some netizens even suggesting follow-up signage such as “Grandma is waiting inside,” further extending the mascot-themed humor.
The unexpected farewell has highlighted how small, creative gestures by local businesses can spark public attention and reinforce a sense of shared memory and community amid the gradual changes to urban streetscapes.