The two-day market runs June 11-12 at the district office plaza, with an opening ceremony and eco-friendly events on the first day
Gwanak-gu will open its signature social economy market, the "Dream Market," at the district office plaza on June 11 and 12 to expand sales channels for social economy enterprises and boost the local economy, the district office said.
The Dream Market is designed to spread awareness of social economy values, support participating businesses in reaching customers, and raise public understanding of the social economy sector.
Since its pilot launch in 2015, the market has been held 82 times, generating cumulative sales of 1.9 billion won (about $1.23 million) and establishing itself as a signature community marketplace. Last year, the event reached its largest-ever scale when it was held in conjunction with the Seoul International Garden Expo at Boramae Park — the first time the two events had been linked.
This year, the Dream Market opened its first edition in May at Gwanaksan Euddeum Park and is scheduled to run 10 times through October, with a continuing focus on fostering coexistence with nearby commercial districts.
The June edition will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. An opening ceremony with local residents is planned for the morning of June 11, the first day.
Visitors will find a wide range of products made by social economy enterprises, including handcrafted goods, everyday household items and food.
This edition goes beyond value-conscious shopping to promote hands-on environmental action under the theme of "saving the planet." A series of resident-participation eco-events will be held in the name of resource recycling and environmental protection: free umbrella repairs, dish-soap refills for customers who bring their own empty containers, a scrubbing pad in exchange for two ice packs, and a toothpaste squeezer in exchange for two plastic bottle caps.
The market will again be registered as an accepted venue for the Munhwa Nuri Card this year, as it was last year, allowing visitors from culturally underserved groups and the general public to use the card on-site. The district office said the move is intended to improve visitor convenience while also driving meaningful sales growth and broader market access for participating businesses.
"Through this Dream Market, I hope residents will experience firsthand the excellent products made by social economy enterprises, and that a culture of social value and ethical consumption will spread throughout our community," district mayor Park Jun-hee said.
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