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The Busan Metropolitan City to Recruit New “Signature Stores” to Revitalize Local Commercial Districts

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it is now accepting applications from small businesses for the 2025 Signature Store Discovery and Support Program, which aims to revitalize local commercial areas through the development of iconic, locally rooted storefronts. The application period runs until May 12.

Launched for the first time this year, the program identifies and supports Signature Stores—local flagship businesses capable of influencing their surrounding commercial zones. Unlike previous programs focused solely on individual store growth, this initiative is designed to create ripple effects that activate the wider neighborhood.

The program will select two small businesses that meet the criteria of “local value creators,” defined as entrepreneurs who leverage the unique natural, cultural, or community assets of their region. Each selected store may receive up to KRW 100 million in total support, which includes both growth funding and assistance for commercial district activation.

Definition of Local Value Creators:
Entrepreneurs who combine regional characteristics and creative ideas to generate business value and contribute to the local economy, classified into seven business types:

• 1.Local value

• 2.Local food

• 3.Regional manufacturing

• 4.Local tourism

• 5.Hub branding

• 6.Digital cultural experiences

• 7.Nature-friendly activities

The initiative includes not only direct store support but also broader district-level activities such as:

• ●Business consulting and model enhancement

• ●Local market festivals and community-building efforts

• ●Infrastructure upgrades for commercial districts

• ●Promotional campaigns and storytelling-based branding

• ●Local district tours and on/offline media outreach

The City plans to position these Signature Stores as anchor points within their respective areas, eventually serving as launching pads for participation in national commercial revitalization programs and long-term sustainable support systems.

Small business owners interested in applying should review the eligibility requirements and submit applications by 6:00 p.m. on May 12 via the Busan Small Business Support Center website (www.bsbsc.kr).
For further inquiries, contact the Busan Economic Promotion Agency at ☎ 1833-3665.

Kim Bong-chul, Director-General of the Digital Economy Bureau of The Busan Metropolitan City, stated:
“We hope this initiative will help spark a resurgence in local commercial areas through creative, resource-based businesses. The City will continue supporting small businesses with innovative ideas to help Busan’s local markets evolve into globally connected ‘glocal’ commercial zones.”