SK Nexilis Opens 'Shared Store 3rd Branch' for Jeonbuk Jeongeup Win-Win Project

Youth Startup Support Projects, etc.

Lee Jae-hong (fifth from the left in the back row), CEO of SK Nexilis, and employees held the opening ceremony of the third branch of the 'Join Jeongeup Shared Store' shared office in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do on the 8th and took a commemorative photo. (Photo by SK Nexilis)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] SK Nexilis, an investor in SKC's copper foil business for secondary batteries, announced on the 10th that it has opened the third branch of the 'Joy'n Jeongeup Shared Store' in Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-do, where it has a domestic production base.

Joy'n Jeongeup, which opened on the 8th, is a project started last year by SK Nexilis in collaboration with Jeongeup City to build a foundation for mutual growth in the local community. It is a shared office created by remodeling a vacant store on the upper floor of the building housing the first shared store. It serves as a space for local youth entrepreneurship education and collaboration among entrepreneurs, as well as a community space that local residents can visit anytime. The operation is managed by the social enterprise Underdogs.

At the first branch, which opened in October last year, the brunch cafe 'Plus QQQ (+QQQ)' showcases Jeongeup's specialty products such as jam and butter. The second branch houses the fragrance shop 'Aroma Mood,' which sells products capturing the scent of Jeongeup. The third branch was established as a shared office with the purpose of being a space where anyone can comfortably visit and stay.

SK Nexilis plans to convert the first and second shared stores, which operate as popup stores, into other business types in the second half of the year. A fourth branch will also be opened nearby. They plan to develop Cheonbyeon-ro in Jeongeup, where the shared stores are located, into Jeongeup's 'signature street.' Jeong Heejin, the food director operating the first branch, plans to create a virtuous cycle in the Jeongeup area by opening a separate store in Jeongeup based on the know-how gained from operating the shared store.

They will also accelerate the nurturing of local youth entrepreneurs necessary for revitalizing the local economy. On the 5th, SK Nexilis and Jeongeup City launched the '2022 Youth Startup Support Project,' which provides education, consulting, and initial startup funds to promising local youth entrepreneurs. After completing education for 13 prospective youth entrepreneur teams over 10 weeks until June, 10 outstanding teams will be selected and supported with a total of 150 million KRW over three years. Additionally, this year, they will expand the Joy'n Jeongeup project by implementing capacity-building consulting for small business owners in Jeongeup city, discovering Jeongeup tourism content, and planning festivals.

An SK Nexilis official said, "Through the Joy'n Jeongeup project, we will create various programs and content that Jeongeup citizens, young entrepreneurs, and visitors can comfortably use and enjoy, thereby revitalizing the local community and enhancing social value."