Recently, more and more people are using local stores to reduce the carbon footprint that occurs while using overseas delivery and home-delivery services. Various local stores like a refill station for zero-waste, a vegetable market for local farmers, and a regional specialized commodity laboratory for regional economic revitalization are in operation. Pharos would like to introduce three distinctive local stores in Suwon for students at Kyonggi University who are interested in unique spaces.

 Earthling’s Playground is a small general store that is located at the entrance of Haengridan-gil. Earthling’s Playground was started from a small club that holds a bazaar to support local handmade artists and upcycling exhibitions. The club members wanted to support local artists and protect the environment in daily life, so they opened a zero-waste shop in their favorite part of town, Haenggung-dong. In the store, there are lots of items for a zero-waste lifestyle. They have shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, natural dish soap, and so forth. Interestingly, they also have an upcycled item, ‘Reading Ring’. It is made out of unrecyclable plastic bottle caps collected by their customers. Also, they are running a refill station to enable the customers to buy as much eco-friendly detergent or snacks as they need by bringing reusable containers. Handmade accessories and bags are available as well. As the store isn’t large, they carefully selected what to sell. Therefore, it is easy to look into every item. The representative of Earthling’s Playground introduced a tip, “Some of the nice items that are not available at the offline store are available on the online store. So go check it! And we are offering a tumbler rental service for free. You can use it at the coffee shops on Haengridan-gil.” The tumblers are donated, as well as the plastic bottle caps. They also collect reusable containers and shopping bags as a part of their recycling project. By developing generational communication with an environmental theme and trying various projects with the consciousness of local issues, Earthling’s Playground was selected as a “preliminary village enterprise” by the city of Suwon. They promised to expand the unity of the village and asked Kyonggi University’s members to participate.

* Address: 4, Sinpung-ro 23beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si / Instagram: @earthy_play

 Broccoli Soop is a small independent bookstore that curates and sells various independent publications and books. It is joyful to see not only books but also interior ornaments and stationery. Broccoli Soop is located in an alley of Haengridan-gil. Most stores operating on Haengridan-gil open at noon. So keep this in mind if you plan to visit. Broccoli Soop also opens at 12 p.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. The store, a remodeled house, is not large and is located on the second floor, so it is easy to pass if you are not paying attention. However, if you pay a little attention and look at it, you can find a quiet and still cultural space. In particular, independent publications that cannot be found in large bookstores are attractive only to independent bookstores. A wooden shelf with carefully selected cultural and artistic books fills visitors' artistic sensitivity just by looking around. Stationery such as postcards and notebooks are displayed on the right side of the entrance. You can also purchase goods that help you read along with books here. Broccoli Soop calls itself “an little bookstore with a scent of coffee”. If you found your favorite book here, why don't you sit on the terrace of the bookstore and enjoy reading with a cup of coffee?

* Address: 2F, 21-10, Hwaseomun-ro 32beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si / Instagram: @broccoli_soop

 Sammi Bakery is a bakeshop near Bugukwon, which is a modern history museum, registered cultural asset no. 698. Sammi Bakery is famous for its Sangtu cookies inspired by Bugukwon and Modern Culture Street. Trying Sangtu cookies here is a new way to enjoy history and culture. There are various flavors of Sangtu cookies, such as Earl Grey, mugwort, and Injeolmi. All of them are nicely soft and nutty. Also, other types of bread like loaf bread and dinner rolls, and beverages are on sale at an affordable price. However, please be aware that this bakery is takeaway-only. 

* Address: 101, 138, Hyanggyo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si / Instagram: @sammi.bakery

 Traveling far away is good, but sometimes why don't you try exploring the wonderful atmosphere of the small shops around us? Unexpected places are hidden in an alley that has been passed by casually every day. The streets of Suwon are full of such attractive shops. If you look for gems hidden in Suwon, such as a zero-waste shop where you can protect the environment through purchases, a little bookstore where you can find comforting writings, and a bakery where history and culture coexist, daily life will be a little more special. 

76th Reporter • CHOI BO YOUN • invierno.y@kyonggi.ac.kr

76th Reporter • KIM HYEON A • hangitup@kyonggi.ac.kr