Exploring the Magok Coffee and Earth Market in Gongju
I visited the Magok Coffee Branch 2, a senior club in Gongju, and the Earth Market, a shop run by seniors where they sell handmade products.
The above photo shows the Magok Coffee Branch 2 cafe, while the photo below features the Earth Market.
The 'Earth Market' operates under the concept of being a 'market for the earth's environment.' It focuses on resource circulation, reuse, upcycling, eco-friendly consumption, and creating job opportunities for seniors.
The Gongju Senior Club, which includes Magok Coffee and the Earth Market, is not just a simple institution but a specialized organization that provides real job and social activity opportunities for local seniors.
With the support of Gongju City, they operate dozens of projects, among which the most famous brands are the Magok Coffee Branches 1 and 2 and the Earth Market.
Inside the Earth Market, I found many handmade products created with care by seniors. There was a 100% natural deodorizer made from coffee grounds, which was offered for free.
The Earth Market connects job creation for seniors with carbon neutrality practices, resource circulation education, and local environmental activities.
The handmade products varied widely, including various household items, crafts, scrubs, keychains, mood lamps, and 3D puzzles, all at affordable prices.
One particularly cute item was a pufferfish decoration for home decor, showcasing the seniors' craftsmanship.
The Gongju Senior Club operates multiple projects and is known to have over 1,000 seniors participating. Recently, it was recognized as an excellent institution for senior job initiatives.
Magok Coffee is a representative social enterprise brand operated by the Gongju Senior Club, where seniors work as baristas. They receive professional barista training, customer service training, hygiene education, and store management training before starting their jobs.
The baristas here handle order taking, beverage preparation, store management, and customer service. Due to their training, many customers note that the service quality is better than that of regular cafes.
Being a social enterprise, Magok Coffee offers excellent value for money, with an Americano priced at 3,000 won.
I ordered an iced Americano, which tasted great, and sitting by the window with a view was truly refreshing. The interior atmosphere of Magok Coffee Branch 2 was also pleasant.
The cafe also sells items made by seniors, including handmade leather wallets, keychains, and scrubs, all of high quality. The leather card wallet, in particular, seemed to have artistic value.
The seniors' calligraphy displays were impressive, and baked goods made by seniors were available at affordable prices.
Located in a traditional Hanok cafe street, Magok Coffee Branch 2 is known for its great value, attracting both tourists and locals.
Additionally, it is conveniently located near the Gongju Fortress tourist area, making it an excellent stop after exploring.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224304493924
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