Jungnang-gu Expands Alley-type Shopping Districts to Strengthen Alley Market Competitiveness

Myeonmok 2-dong Bongwoo Market and Muk 1-dong Dokkaebi Market Designated as 5th and 6th Alley-type Shopping Districts, Enabling Support Equivalent to Traditional Markets Including Use of Onnuri Gift Certificates and Facility Repairs

Alley-type shopping districts also hold street festivals and cultural performances to create alley commercial areas that residents want to visit.

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) designated Bongu Market in Myeonmok 2-dong and Mukdong Dokkaebi Market as alley-type shopping districts on the 1st.

An alley-type shopping district can be designated when there are 30 or more small business-operated stores concentrated within an area of 2,000㎡ or less. Once designated as an alley-type shopping district, it receives qualifications similar to traditional markets and can receive corresponding support.

These two markets have been established for decades, providing groceries, daily necessities, and food, becoming a livelihood for both merchants and nearby residents. However, they had not been recognized as traditional markets, so they could not accept Onnuri gift certificates and were excluded from various supports, causing disappointment among merchants and users.

Now, the two places have been designated as the 5th and 6th alley-type shopping districts, allowing them to receive support equivalent to traditional markets under the Traditional Market Act. This includes registration as Onnuri gift certificate affiliated stores and the possibility of repairing deteriorated facilities, which is expected to enhance user convenience.

Additionally, they can participate in various public contest projects targeting traditional markets and hold abundant events, which is expected to revitalize the alley commercial districts. This year, the district plans to support the installation of fire alarms in alley-type shopping districts, improve pedestrian environments, hold festivals, and establish a customer support center to enhance market user convenience.

Jungnang-gu aims to revive the depressed alley commercial districts and stimulate the local economy through this additional designation of alley-type shopping districts amid prolonged economic downturn.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “I hope Bongu Market and Mukdong Dokkaebi Market will attract more residents and become lively alley commercial districts through this designation as alley-type shopping districts,” and added, “We will continue to support the activation of the local economy and help alley commercial districts across the area grow competitively.”

Since 2022, Jungnang-gu has been increasing the number of alley-type shopping districts annually to revitalize commercial areas. In 2022, Taeneung Market and Sangbong Food Alley were designated, and in 2023, Sagajeong 51-gil and Rose Blossom Street were designated as alley-type shopping districts. Designated alley-type shopping districts have installed sky awnings (foldable roof facilities) to block sunlight and rain, LED landscape lighting for nighttime scenery improvement, and held street festivals to create a harmonious space where residents and merchants can gather.

Currently, at the 1st to 4th alley-type shopping districts, a Lunar New Year event is underway, offering Onnuri gift certificates and gifts based on purchase amounts.

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