[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-seong] Gwacheon City announced on the 18th that it held a graduation ceremony for the '2025 Gwacheon City Merchants' College,' which was operated to enhance the management capabilities of small business owners in the food service industry and support menu development linked to local festivals.
The graduation ceremony was held on the 17th in the grand lecture hall of Gwacheon City's Commercial District Activation Center, with approximately 40 people in attendance including Mayor Shin Gye-yong, graduates, and instructors. The city explained that the program produced a total of 16 graduates, with education provided on menu development applicable to local festivals and overall food service business management.
This year's Merchants' College was operated for a total of 7 sessions from November 19 to December 17. The curriculum was composed of practical, job-oriented educational programs including menu planning and development targeting Gwacheon City's representative festivals, event operations and hands-on training, food service business strategies, marketing and branding, and food hygiene.
In particular, emphasis was placed on developing menus suitable for festival venues so that merchants could participate in major local festivals such as the Korea Racing Association's Cherry Blossom Festival and the Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival.
At the graduation ceremony, a tasting session was held to introduce new menus developed through the Merchants' College course, sharing the educational outcomes.
Meanwhile, the city plans to continue education, consulting, and promotional support targeting small business owners, including the Merchants' College, and to create an environment where local commercial districts and festivals can be linked.
A city official stated, "Menu development for local specialties linked to regional festivals is a method that helps in commercial operations," and expressed hopes that "this Merchants' College will be used as a reference case for local commercial activities."