Three Deep-rooted Stores Selected for Small Business Support Policy

Fostering "Sejong Deep-rooted Stores"
as Flagship Hubs for Revitalizing Local Commercial Districts

Sejong City has selected three local businesses that have been beloved by residents for over 20 years as “Sejong Deep-rooted Stores.” This project aims to discover small business owners with long-standing traditions and unique local characteristics, foster them as flagship stores in neighborhood commercial districts, and ultimately utilize them as key resources for local cultural tourism.

According to Sejong City on July 6, applications for the Deep-rooted Store designation were accepted from February to April for small business owners who have maintained the same business in the eup and myeon areas for over 20 years, or in the dong areas for over 10 years. As a result, three businesses were selected: Han’s Rice Cake Shop in Bugang-myeon, Jogwang Sanghoe in Jochiwon-eup, and Yongamgol in Yeonseo-myeon.

Han’s Rice Cake Shop is a fourth-generation establishment specializing in traditional rice cakes, offering a variety of products made with local agricultural produce and enjoying long-standing customer affection. The shop holds the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ “Centennial Store” certification and HACCP certification. Jogwang Sanghoe is the only hardware store in the region that handcrafts traditional wooden A-frames (jige), with its owner designated as Sejong City Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 69, recognized for cultural value. Yongamgol, located near Gobok Reservoir in Yeonseo-myeon, is a charcoal-grilled pork rib restaurant operated by two generations, known for its pleasant environment and scenic views that consistently attract visitors.

The city will provide the selected stores with various administrative and financial support measures, including: certification plaques, special funding for small businesses, on-site consulting, and multifaceted promotional activities. This year, Sejong City plans to strengthen promotion by displaying advertisements in elevators, producing tourism maps and merchandise, and thereby help increase actual sales and raise brand awareness for these stores.

Kim Hyunki, Director of the Economic and Industrial Bureau, stated, “We will continue to foster the Sejong Deep-rooted Stores as long-standing brands to revitalize local commercial districts and cultural tourism,” adding, “We will actively support small business owners who carry on tradition and value so they can grow stably in the future.”

Previously, in the previous year, Sejong City selected three businesses?Ryukorea Taeul Gugakgi, Matnadang Kalguksu, and Sinheung Padak?as Sejong Deep-rooted Stores, providing support for business stability and store promotion.