Five stores — including a table tennis club, hair salon, sauna, optician and cafe — offer discounts to residents 65 and older; each store receives 1 million won in facility improvement funds to create a senior-friendly environment
Gwangjin-gu has selected five local businesses to participate in its new "Senior Companion Stores" program, which offers discounts and an improved environment for older residents.
The program aims to expand leisure and social participation opportunities for seniors while upgrading private commercial facilities in the district into age-friendly spaces. Participating stores provide discounts and other benefits to residents 65 and older, while the district supports efforts to create a safe and accessible environment.
The five selected stores offer a range of discounts. Blue One Table Tennis Club in Jungok 2-dong cuts hourly fees for singles and doubles matches by 20 percent. Yun Hair Mode in Guui 3-dong takes 10,000 won ($7) off perms and 5,000 won off haircuts. Woori Sulfur Hot Spring in Jayang 2-dong reduces its admission fee from 12,000 won to 10,000 won. Glassbox Optical in Jayang 3-dong offers a 10 percent discount on eyeglass purchases. Cafe Wouju in Hwayangdong gives 500 won off any beverage purchase.
The stores will operate under the program through July 31, 2027. A "Senior Companion Store" plaque will be displayed at each entrance so older residents can easily identify participating businesses.
Each participating store receives 1 million won ($651) in facility improvement funds. More than half of the grant must go toward practical safety and accessibility upgrades, such as installing stair handrails, replacing lighting and adding anti-slip floor pads.
The district will periodically review program performance by examining improvement work, visitor numbers and satisfaction levels. At year's end, it plans to select top-performing stores and award additional facility improvement funds to encourage active participation.
Gwangjin-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said the district would work to ensure the program becomes "a space where seniors can comfortably enjoy leisure and connection close to home, and a win-win project that helps small business owners build a loyal customer base and bring vitality to the local economy."
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