TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Near Taichung’s Fengyuan railway station, a century-old building that once upheld the law now serves up sweets and local culture, CNA reported Monday.

The former police station has been transformed into a cultural space where visitors can enjoy pineapple cakes, ice cream, and browse local handicrafts. Established in 1906 during the Japanese colonial era, the station still bears its original police emblem and wooden-framed doors.

In 2002, the city recognized its rare two-story design and designated it as a historical site. The second floor now features a traditional lacquerware exhibit, showcasing a traditional craft that combines techniques from sculpture, painting, and woodworking, according to the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute.

Adding a playful twist to its history, the former police station serves pineapple pastries under the brand Wang Lai Ba. In Mandarin, “wang lai” hints at nonstop business, a phrase officers once took very seriously.

Wang Lai Ba manager Lin (林) said the brand's founder, a Fengyuan native, wanted to honor the area’s century-old pastry tradition. The pineapple cakes are crafted in an eight-shaped design, referencing both the brand’s name, with “ba” meaning eight in Mandarin, and Fengyuan’s old name, Huludun, inspired by a gourd shape.