Gwangju Seo-gu 'Sangnok Cherry Blossom Village Cafe' Opens... Profits Used to Support Vulnerable Groups

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] “Try coffee brewed with the finest beans, and if you don’t like the taste, you won’t have to pay.”

At the village cafe newly renovated with pink cherry blossoms next to Sangnok Library in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, a coffee and beverage discount event is in full swing.

The rich and savory aroma of the coffee beans and the fresh scent of homemade yuzu syrup stop countless footsteps heading toward Sangnok Library.

On the 18th, Seo-gu opened the ‘Sangnok Cherry Blossom Village Cafe’ in Nongsong 1-dong (1171 Sangmu-daero) together with the Seo-gu Community Security Council (representative Jang Hyun).

‘Sangnok Cherry Blossom Village Cafe’ is the first village enterprise established by the ‘Sangnok Cherry Blossom Village Management Social Cooperative,’ composed of resident representatives of Nongsong 1-dong.

The profits generated from operating the cafe are used for running village organizations and supporting vulnerable groups in Nongsong 1-dong.

Seo-gu will support labor costs and material expenses until 2022 to ensure the stable settlement of the project.

Through this village enterprise profit project, Seo-gu plans to secure residents’ self-sufficiency and gradually promote the establishment of a village welfare infrastructure where residents help and care for each other.

Mr. Kim, who has lived in Nongsong 1-dong for over 15 years, said, “Every time I drink coffee sold by the village enterprise, I feel it helps neighbors in need and enriches the village. I hope village residents will also use it often so that the profits can be used well.”

Seo Dae-seok, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, “The opening of Sangnok Cherry Blossom Village Cafe is a representative example showing the level of grassroots democracy in Seo-gu, Gwangju.” He added, “I hope the village community can become self-sustaining through the virtuous cycle of residents operating the village enterprise and returning the profits to the village.”

He continued, “Furthermore, there are high expectations for the future social role of the village community to timely help and care for residents facing crises amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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