Chongqing - On July 29, visitors to the newly renovated Huangjue Memory Pocket Park in Dadukou District were greeted by an eye-catching set of shipping containers, home to the lively “Zhixi Box” café. Inside, the aroma of fresh coffee mingled with the gentle hum of a steam wand, as 74-year-old Tian Guilan—sporting a trendy beret and apron—focused intently on her craft behind the counter.

The exterior of the “Zhixi Box.” (Photo/Zhang Sha)

The scene inside “Zhixi Box” is a unique blend of old and new. Historic photos on the wall quietly tell the story of this once-industrial neighborhood, while Tian, a retired steelworker, now brings new energy to the area as one of the café’s baristas and co-managers.

This transformation began last November, when the Xiaocheng Social Work Service Center and the Huhan Community of Xinshancun Subdistrict repurposed idle spaces in the district to create “Zhixi Box,” an initiative aimed at revitalizing the aging community through creativity and connection. The project, whose name signifies “knowing happiness and constant joy,” has become a catalyst for change in the neighborhood.

74-year-old Tian Guilan makes coffee. (Photo/Zhang Sha)

Tian’s story stands out as the first chapter in this new era. Previously, her days revolved around family routines and chatting with friends. Everything changed when she saw a recruitment poster for volunteer baristas in the community, sparking her desire to try something new. With the help of a 25-year-old advertising planner and volunteer, Xie Lanyun, Tian learned the ropes of coffee making—grinding beans, pulling espresso shots, and frothing milk, all from scratch.

Today, Tian can confidently serve up both espresso and lattes. She’s graduated from novice to co-manager, and each cup she brews supports a good cause: for every coffee sold, a portion is donated to the Dadukou Charity Federation.

The café has quickly become a social hub. Tang Mao, founder of a local arts training school, dropped by to check out the venue for an upcoming youth night class. His connection to the café began with an impromptu performance at an open mic, inspiring him to bring professional music education directly to the neighborhood’s young people.

A music open mic is held at “Zhixi Box.” (Photo provided by the interviewee)

The energy of “Zhixi Box” extends far beyond coffee. The project has engaged over 500 young volunteers and drawn nearly a thousand youth participants. Youth creativity has inspired over 300 individuals with disabilities to develop and showcase their own handcrafted designs. It has also offered skill-building opportunities for community members, breathing new life into what was once a sleepy corner of the city.

As dusk falls, longtime residents notice fewer dog-walking seniors and more young people with guitars or sketchbooks, all eagerly heading to the colorful shipping containers—drawn in by the promise of community, creativity, and a warm cup of coffee.