Guri City Holds Certificate Presentation Ceremony for New 'Galmae Avenue Alleyway Shopping District' Designation

Engaging with Merchants
at the Christmas Market Venue

Guri City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Paek Kyunghyun) announced on December 22 that on the 20th, Mayor Paek presented the 'Alleyway Shopping District Designation Certificate' to the Galmae Avenue Commercial Association at the '2025 Guri Winter Festa-Galmae Avenue Christmas Market' event and spent time engaging with local merchants.

Paek Kyunghyun, mayor of Guri City, presented the 'Alleyway Shopping District Designation Certificate' to the Galmae Avenue Commercial District Merchants Association at the '2025 Guri Winter Festa Galmae Avenue Christmas Market' event on the 20th. Provided by Guri City

This designation follows the official recognition of the 'Galmae Avenue Commercial District', located around the Galmae Station I-Park Apartment shopping area, as the 'Galmae Avenue Alleyway Shopping District' on December 10. The presentation of the certificate at the event venue further highlighted the significance of this occasion.

Galmae Avenue, a street-type shopping area near Gyeongchun Line Galmae Station, features a spacious central plaza where children can play safely, making it a popular destination for families. The district is home to a concentration of small businesses, including restaurants, cafes, and lifestyle convenience facilities. Its strengths include an underground parking lot and the Galmaecheon walking trail, offering the pleasant environment characteristic of a new town.

An 'Alleyway Shopping District' is designated for small-scale commercial areas that meet certain requirements under the Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts. Once designated, these districts can register as Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliates and participate in various public projects aimed at revitalizing commercial areas.

Guri City has continuously worked to strengthen the competitiveness of local small businesses and revitalize the regional economy by promoting new alleyway shopping district designations. The city relaxed the designation criteria through amendments to relevant ordinances and achieved this latest designation through close collaboration with the Galmae Avenue Commercial Prosperity Association (President Lee Donghyun).

A Guri City official stated, "We hope that the designation of Galmae Avenue as Guri City's seventh Alleyway Shopping District, together with the Christmas Market event, will establish the area as a vibrant commercial district enjoyed by both citizens and small business owners. We will continue to support and focus on policies to strengthen the competitiveness of small businesses, which are a vital pillar of Guri's local economy."

Meanwhile, at Galmae Avenue Plaza (near the fountain at 601 Galmae-dong), the '2025 Guri Winter Festa-Galmae Avenue Christmas Market' is being held daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from December 19 to 25, hosted by the Guri City Commercial District Revitalization Foundation. The event is designed to invigorate the local economy during the year-end and New Year season and to lay the foundation for a commercial district-friendly city. Various programs to boost commercial activity will be offered, including a flea market and free market, play zones such as a mini train, and a Christmas tree decorated by citizens.