Part 4/8:
In the city’s commercial epicenter, key malls like Golden Resources are shadows of their former selves. Once bustling with shoppers, the narrative describes a profound reduction in foot traffic, with many stores shuttered and others struggling to remain open, particularly in the face of stringent regulations against in-mall dining.
The Friendship Store: A Remnant of Glory
The once-coveted Friendship Store, a symbol of exclusivity since the 1970s, reflects a loss of former glory that many in Beijing mourn. Once a hub for luxury goods coveted by the masses, it now echoes a nostalgic remnant that starkly contrasts the current economic despondency.