Gwanak-gu Greatly Expands Store Design 'Artterior' Project

Total Project Cost 1.9 Billion Won, 1,080 Stores, Support for 140 Local Artists... Up to 1.5 Million Won per Store for Interior and Exterior Design, Product Package Improvement

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) will expand and promote the Our Neighborhood Store Artterior project, which supports small business store improvements, by more than three times compared to the previous year.

'Artterior' is a compound word of Art and Interior, a project where local artists design the interior and exterior of old and worn small business stores, customizing improvements such as brand and product package design.

Since the project started in 2019, satisfaction has been high and the number of stores wishing to participate has continuously increased. Accordingly, the district plans to significantly expand the budget compared to the previous year, increase the number of supported stores, and create distinctive alley commercial districts.

By providing customized store designs to small business owners struggling with management difficulties due to COVID-19, the project aims to increase sales and revitalize alley commercial districts, while offering local artists job creation opportunities to help them develop practical income and competitiveness.

The district was selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s '2021 Our Neighborhood Store Artterior' contest for the third consecutive year following last year, securing 150 million KRW from the city budget, adding 250 million KRW from the district budget and 1.5 billion KRW in special grants, promoting the project with a total scale of 1.9 billion KRW.

The project will be conducted over four months starting in May, supporting a total of 1,080 stores, the largest number among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

Among these, 465 individual small business stores will be matched with 140 local artists to improve the interior and exterior designs reflecting each store’s personality, while 615 stores within traditional markets will apply unified signboard designs, carrying out customized artterior work that attracts consumers’ attention.

The support amount is up to 1.5 million KRW per store, and only small business stores with fewer than five regular employees, excluding entertainment bars and franchise stores, can participate.

Residents wishing to apply can check the district website (News & Notices → Public Announcements), fill out the application form, and submit it by email (jysk@ga.go.kr) or visit in person (Local Commercial District Revitalization Division, Community Service Centers) by May 12.

Meanwhile, local artists participating in the project will be matched with 3 to 4 stores each, analyze the surrounding commercial districts, reflect small business owners’ opinions, and carry out creative work to give stores a new look in line with trends, including signboards, interior design, and packaging design. They will receive approximately 1.8 million KRW in activity fees per phase.

Mayor Park Junhee said, “During this difficult time due to COVID-19, I hope this project will be an opportunity for small business owners and local artists to overcome the crisis and coexist.” He added, “We will continue to steadily promote various customized projects to revitalize the local economy and make every effort to establish the 'Together Economy Special District,' a key pledge of the 7th local government administration.”

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