Design of Alley Shops by Local Artists in Gwanak-gu...Will the Commercial Area Revive?

With a total of 460 million KRW spent, transforming 144 alley shops with 40 local artists... Various policies are progressing smoothly to revitalize alley markets, the lifeblood of the local economy

A pottery workshop utilizing a logo design inspired by the shape of a potter's wheel

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee)'s Our Neighborhood Store Artterior Support Project is gaining attention.

Artterior is a portmanteau of Art and Interior, referring to a project where local artists customize improvements for neighborhood stores, from store interiors such as signs and menus to brand identity (BI) and product packaging production.

The purpose is to enhance the competitiveness of small business owners, create jobs for local artists, and revitalize the depressed alley commercial districts by turning them into popular spots for local residents.

The district secured 150 million KRW through a Seoul city public contest project and additionally invested 310 million KRW of district funds, transforming 144 alley stores in the area together with 40 local artists.

One store in Haengun-dong, which had an exposed old steel wall and no sign to indicate its purpose, was reborn as a stylish pottery workshop through remodeling that highlighted a logo design inspired by the shape of a potter's wheel.

At a mobile phone store in Euncheon-dong, a customer rest area was created. The previously unused space was uniquely decorated with an emotional camping theme to attract customers' interest, and it is expected to be used as a resting place not only for customers but also for neighborhood merchants.

A district official said, "We hope this project has been of some help to small business owners and local artists during these difficult times due to COVID-19," adding, "We will continue to promote many projects that can contribute to the local economy."

Meanwhile, Gwanak-gu is implementing leading and efficient policies to create a 'Together Economy Special Zone,' a core pledge of the 7th local government, so that small business owners can operate their businesses stably and energetically.

In particular, to revitalize the alley commercial districts, which are the lifeblood of the local economy, the district is accelerating efforts to revive local commercial areas by supporting merchant organization, brand development, and infrastructure creation targeting 10 major alley commercial districts. At the same time, it is receiving positive evaluations for smoothly progressing projects from the 'Commercial District Renaissance Project' around exits 3 and 4 of Sillim Station to the 'Living Commercial District Development Project' that renovates deteriorated commercial areas.

Mayor Park Junhee said, "We are focusing on injecting new vitality into the alley commercial districts with the mindset of doing anything that can help local small business owners struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, even if it is just one won," and added, "We will do our best to prepare multifaceted support measures, including comprehensive project promotion and budget securing efforts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.