Cars came roaring down in great numbers along the widened street, while the residents lost the space in front of their homes where they had once enjoyed many a leisurely hour. According to Chiang Yi-sen, whose store is located on Hsia Street, everybody used to congregate in the cool shade of the walkways in the summer. Neighbors were more involved with each other, and his two children always had a place to play.
在北埔下街開雜貨店的姜義森說，以前夏天大家會到店亭下乘涼、聊天，鄰居的感情比較好，他的兩個孩子也都是在店亭下奔跑、嬉戲長大的。