60-Year Taipei Eatery Closes Abruptly, Citing 'Financial Freedom' Before Revealing Staff Fatigue

Yanshan Tangyuan, a beloved Taipei eatery operating for over 60 years near the Shuanglian MRT station, abruptly announced its closure on Facebook. Initially, the post cited "financial freedom" and the owner's "desire to stop working," referencing a surge in the stock price of Yageo Corporation and the owner's newfound wealth.

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The boss doesn't want to work hard anymore.

This announcement was accompanied by a sign at the stall reading, "The boss doesn't want to work hard anymore," thanking customers for their patronage over the past six decades. The news saddened many locals who expressed their fondness for the restaurant's signature savory glutinous rice balls, especially during winter.

However, the restaurant later clarified the initial statement was an excuse. The real reasons, according to a follow-up post, were the owner's long-held desire to retire after two to three years and the immense physical toll of the high-intensity work. The difficulty in finding and retaining staff, leading to strained relationships and frequent arguments among employees, created a negative atmosphere that began affecting customers.

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Financial freedom, the boss doesn't want to work anymore, ending business, leisurely seeing Nanshan.

To preserve the restaurant's reputation before it was overwhelmed by negative reviews, the decision was made to close. Retirees would retire, and those who wished to continue working would seek less demanding jobs. The closure aims to leave behind a good name, ending operations on a high note rather than amidst mounting complaints.

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Financial freedom is just an excuse for not wanting to work. The real reason is that the elderly want to retire, which has been said for two or three years, plus it is high-intensity work, and it is very difficult to find employees.