The 'Hip Store' Project for Discovering Unique Shops Receives High Praise
Youth and Small Business Mutual Growth Model in the Spotlight
Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Shin Sangjin) announced on the 25th that it had received the 'Excellence Award' in the economic and regional industry category at the National Basic Local Government Heads Manifesto Best Practices Competition, with its Hip Store project that supports the discovery of unique small business stores.
Seongnam City officials are taking a commemorative photo after receiving the 'Excellence Award' at the National Basic Local Government Heads Manifesto Best Practice Competition held at Kyungpook National University in Gyeongbuk from the 23rd to 24th. Provided by Seongnam City
This marks the third consecutive year of receiving an award, following the Grand Prize for the dedicated commuter bus for workers with disabilities in 2023 and the Grand Prize for the youth housing support project for young adults with developmental disabilities last year.
This competition, co-hosted by the Korea Manifesto Implementation Headquarters and the Gyeongbuk Research Institute, was conducted by having 191 cases that passed the first round of document screening presented by their respective local governments in seven categories over two days, July 23 and 24, at Kyungpook National University in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province.
Seongnam City presented the 'Hip Store Project Born from Youth Ideas,' which led to this award.
Hip Store refers to a unique neighborhood shop close enough to visit in slippers, emphasizing its proximity and distinctive character.
The city reviews applications from small business stores for marketing, interior design, service, and products through document screening. Then, Hip Stores are selected based on an online citizen vote and expert evaluation. Selected stores receive support worth 20 million won, including signboards, menus, merchandise, and promotional content production.
A Hip Store certification mark is also awarded to increase consumer awareness and trust.
Last year, Seongnam City discovered and supported five Hip Stores. This year, the number of supported stores has increased to eight.
Through this, the city is strengthening the competitiveness of stores operated with creative ideas from young people and small business owners, and revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts and traditional markets.
The discovery and support of Hip Stores is recognized as a creative and innovative commercial district model.
In addition, Seongnam City is expanding the model of mutual growth between youth and small business owners in neighborhood commercial districts through the following initiatives: △ the 'Small Store Youth Startup Support Project,' which provides 30 million won in business funds to young people wishing to start a business in the Jeil-ro and Dunchon-daero areas of Seongnam-dong, Jungwon-gu; and △ the 'Youth Leap Support Project,' which provides up to 4 million won in wage subsidies over three months when a young business owner hires another young person.
Mayor Shin Sangjin of Seongnam City said, "Winning the Manifesto Competition for three consecutive years is a recognition of the hard work of Seongnam City officials who have faithfully implemented the pledges of the 8th popularly elected administration," and added, "During the remainder of my term, I will continue to thoroughly fulfill the pledges and policies promised to citizens."
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