Why Are Small Business Owners Smiling Brightly at Gwanak-gu Traditional Markets?

Installation of Promotional Signboards at 8 Entrances of Jowondong Penguin Market, Nangok Alley Shopping District, Bongridan-gil Alley Shopping District, and Gangnam Alley Market... Ordinance Amendment on April 11 to Ease Designation Criteria for Alley Shopping Districts

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has once again spared no support to revitalize traditional markets amid the sluggish economy.

First, the district recently completed the installation of ‘promotional guide signs’ at a total of eight locations, including four markets and entrances to alley-type shopping districts within the area.

The promotional guide signs are pillar-type signs utilizing colorful lighting and design, effectively informing local residents and outsiders of the market names and locations, thereby giving identity to the traditional markets and shopping districts.

In the second half of last year, the district urgently allocated 240 million KRW through a supplementary budget to inject vitality into the market commercial areas and has been promoting the ‘Traditional Market and Shopping District Guide Sign Installation’ project since December.

The installation targets this time were ▲ Jowon-dong Penguin Market ▲ Nangok Alley-type Shopping District ▲ Bongridan-gil Alley-type Shopping District ▲ Gangnam Alley Market, with designs and installation locations decided reflecting the opinions of merchant associations.

As a result, the district achieved the outcome of completing the installation of promotional guide signs in all traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts within the area, except for building-type traditional markets where separate guide signs were unnecessary.

The district expects that the eye-catching promotional guide signs will attract many visits from local residents.

Additionally, on April 11, the district amended the ‘Ordinance on Supporting the Revitalization of Alley-type Shopping Districts in Gwanak-gu, Seoul’ to relax the designation criteria for alley-type shopping districts.

Previously, only areas with 30 or more stores operated by small business owners within an area of 2,000㎡ or less could be designated as alley-type shopping districts. With this amendment, areas with 30 or more stores in commercial zones and 25 or more stores in non-commercial zones can now be designated as alley-type shopping districts.

Once designated as an alley-type shopping district, benefits under the Traditional Market Act can be received, enabling the handling of Onnuri gift certificates, and various administrative supports such as event projects and environmental improvements become available.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “I hope the various policies promoted by the district will breathe new life into the alley commercial areas, which have been stagnant due to the worsening livelihood economy, and bring joy to small business owners. We will continue to actively promote support projects to strengthen the competitiveness of traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts.”

Meanwhile, Gwanak-gu has allocated a total budget of 3.7 billion KRW this year and is continuously striving to revitalize traditional markets through management modernization, facility modernization, safety inspections and repairs, and the Sinsari commercial district renaissance project.