Certified by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups as 'Baengnyeon Ggage' and 'Baengnyeon Sosanggongin'
Two Yeosu businesses — Samhakjip restaurant and Seogwang Jebun sesame oil mill — have been selected in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 2026 "century small business" review, earning designations as a "century store" and "century small business," respectively.
The "century small business" program is a Ministry of SMEs and Startups certification scheme for small businesses that have operated over an extended period, contributed to their local communities, and demonstrated the potential for continued growth based on accumulated experience.
Under the program, restaurants and retail or wholesale businesses that have operated for 30 or more years are designated "century stores," while small manufacturers that have sustained their craft for 15 or more years through skilled technique and artisanship are designated "century small businesses."
According to Yeosu city, Samhakjip — founded in 1945 and named a "century store" — is a restaurant that has operated for three generations in the city's original downtown area, specializing in spicy seodae fish salad and braised hairtail.
Seogwang Jebun, located in Seosijang, a traditional market that serves as a regional landmark, has pressed sesame oil using traditional methods for 50 years across three generations, becoming the first business in South Jeolla Province to receive the "century small business" designation in the sesame oil category.
With the two latest additions, Yeosu now counts 22 certified century small businesses in total.
An official from the city's economy and jobs division said the designated businesses would receive a certified plaque along with a range of support, including consulting, facility improvements and marketing assistance.
parkds@heraldcorp.com
