Support for Store Design of Small Businesses in Jongno Bukchon

Bukchon Small Business Stores Enhance Competitiveness with Design

Jongno-gu to Recruit 60 Stores for Artterior Project by July 7

Provides Jobs and Income for Artists, Expected Sales Increase through Customized Design Improvements for Small Business Owners

Selected Stores Receive up to 1.5 Million KRW Support for Interior and Exterior Space Improvements, Branding, and Marketing to Reestablish Store Identity

Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Munheon) is recruiting stores to participate in the '2023 Jongno-gu Our Neighborhood Store Artterior Project' until July 7.

The 'Artterior Project' is a combination of art and interior design, aiming to improve the interior and exterior design of small business stores by utilizing artists' talents and incorporating artistic elements into product and service marketing. This meaningful project allows artists to gain new work experience and income, while small business owners can increase sales and strengthen competitiveness through customized design improvements.

This year, the support targets a total of 60 store-type small businesses located in the Bukchon and Samcheong-dong areas. Selected stores will receive up to 1.5 million KRW to support costs for improving interior and exterior spaces, as well as branding and marketing work that can reestablish store identity through displays, props, tableware, packaging, business cards, and more.

All work must be carried out jointly after matching with an artist, and funds cannot be used for simple purchases of ready-made products or facility renovations that do not include artistic design.

The district expects that this project, which matches small business owners and artists one-to-one, will infuse artistic and creative elements into Bukchon?a place where tradition and modernity coexist?creating a distinctive commercial district and revitalizing the local economy.

Small business owners in Bukchon and Samcheong-dong who wish to participate can submit their application forms, copies of business registration certificates, and store lease contracts by visiting the Job Economy Division in person or sending them via email to the person in charge from June 19 to July 7. However, franchises, chain stores, and entertainment businesses are not eligible to apply.

The final results will be announced in July after document screening. Priority will be given to small stores, stores experiencing temporary business difficulties, stores with a high understanding of the project and willingness to cooperate with filming and interviews, and stores participating or scheduled to participate in the Seoul Kids OK Zone.

In 2022, Jongno-gu invested 150 million KRW in the Seosunra-gil area to match about 40 stores within the target area with 15 local artists under the concept of "Protecting Accumulated Time and Adding New Time through Artterior."

Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “This is a win-win project that revitalizes commercial districts for small business owners and creates jobs for artists,” adding, “We will continue to implement policies that maximize Jongno’s identity and potential by utilizing the rich cultural and artistic resources throughout the region, thereby invigorating the local economy.”