As Busan’s downtown commercial district continues to struggle with stagnation, all eyes are on Jung-gu’s initiative to designate an ‘alley-type shopping street’ in Jungang-dong’s Café Street.
The area, stretching from Busan Jungbu Police Station to Eunsan Shipping and Aviation, is a popular spot lined with cafés and specialty stores around the iconic ‘40 Steps Street’.
The alley-type shopping street program, launched by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in 2020, offers substantial benefits to local merchants, including eligibility to accept Onnuri gift certificates and access to government support programs.
However, the Café Street area originally failed to meet the criteria, which required at least 30 stores within a 2,000㎡ area. In response, Jung-gu successfully negotiated a reduction of the requirement to 15 stores, making the district eligible for designation.
Following administrative procedures, it is expected to take effect as early as next month. If all proceeds smoothly, the area could be officially designated as an alley-type shopping district by August.
Currently, 21 alley-type shopping streets exist across Busan, but most are concentrated in eastern districts, with only one (Sujeong 4-dong in Dong-gu) located downtown.
Jung-gu will assist local businesses in forming a merchant association and applying for the program, with briefing sessions planned after the ordinance revision.
If successful, the project is expected to reinvigorate downtown commerce, drawing more visitors and enhancing business opportunities for local merchants.
