Seongdong-gu Boosts Commercial Vitality with 1.3 Million Support for Small Business Store Design Improvements

Applications accepted until March 28
Support for 60 stores in 13 shopping districts, including Hanyang University Front Shopping District and Majang Livestock Market
Fully funded by the district since last year... Providing artists with space and job opportunities to showcase their talents, while offering small business owners improved interiors and revitalized commercial districts for a win-win effect

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is promoting the ‘Our Neighborhood Store Artterior’ project, which supports design improvements for small business owners' shops in the district by utilizing the talents of local artists.

‘Our Neighborhood Store Artterior (Art+Interior)’ is a project that improves the interior and exterior design of small business owners' shops by leveraging artists' creativity. After selecting and matching small business shops with local artists, the project provides up to 1.3 million KRW per store for material costs.

This project offers artists a space and job opportunities to showcase their talents, while enhancing the competitiveness of small businesses and revitalizing commercial districts through personalized store interiors, achieving a win-win effect.

Since being selected in the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s public contest in 2021, the district has been implementing the ‘Our Neighborhood Store Artterior’ project, and since the Seoul city project ended last year, the district has continued support using its own budget.

Through this, a total of 251 stores in 11 shopping districts have benefited. Last year, Seongsu Station Alley Shopping District, Ttukseom Station Shopping District, and Geumnam Market were selected as project sites, improving the interior and exterior designs of 36 stores.

A survey conducted among participating small business owners after the project ended showed that 97% were satisfied with the overall project, indicating high approval from small business owners. In particular, all respondents answered positively regarding satisfaction with store environment improvements and willingness to recommend the project. Additionally, 78% of respondents stated that the project helped increase their sales.

This year, amid difficult economic conditions, the district plans to provide broader support to small business owners facing hardships by including Hanyang University Front Shopping District and Majang Livestock Market as new target sites, supporting a total of 60 stores across 13 shopping districts. Applications are accepted until March 28.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I hope the ‘Our Neighborhood Store Artterior’ project not only provides talented artists with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities but also breathes new life into shopping districts struggling through tough economic times, leading to regional economic revitalization. We will continue to pay close attention and provide support so that small business owners can overcome economic difficulties, and do our best to promote policies for commercial district revitalization.”