Hoping for Better Days. Happy New Year!

"Hope again!" Small merchants waiting for the new year with hope. Dreaming of a market crowded with people again. It's less than half the sales compared to before. Even if the rent is lowered the stores are closing one after another. This is the situation that many are facing because of the pandemic and the Catholic Times featured article gives the readers the thoughts and worries of some of the merchants at the start of the New Year.

 

Traditional markets  are one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Small merchants, who have mainly operated face-to-face sales, sigh deeply. Let's listen to the stories of those who are continuing their days with hope, although it is a difficult time to celebrate the New Year.

"I've never had so few  customers before  the Christmas holidays. Not even half as much as before. I think it's worse than last year." The words Mr. Kim a clothing wholesale business owner entering his store.

He has been operating the store for 19 years since he took over the wholesale  business at the age of 30 from his relations. The time the reporter was in the store was about three hours from 8 p.m. when the store opened. Usually, this  is the time when most customers come to inquire about clothes, but almost all stores, including Kim's store, were quiet.

Kim reduced the number from three stores to one last year due to COVID-19 one of his longest workers quit when Mr.Kim had to adjust the work of the employees to four days a week and inevitably reduce wages. Kim expressed regret, saying: "It was a difficult decision, but it was an inevitable choice to be able to continue.

Although the number of customers has decreased since COVID-19, the number of customers has decreased also because  the operating hours of restaurants and cafes have been limited to 9 p.m. due to social distancing. In particular, as social distancing has been strengthened since December 18, the number of people visiting stores has decreased, increasing concerns among merchants, including Kim.

The Peace Market, which was lively, has become incomparably quiet as foreigners were blocked from entering the country and general business restrictions were imposed. Since COVID-19, about 20% of stores have closed.
 

In particular, a shopping mall with middle-aged women's clothing stores, which focused on face-to-face sales, have lowered rents from 1.2 million won to 400,000 won, but most merchants are considering closing their businesses, despite the lowering of the rent.
 

COVID-19 was the biggest disaster for another merchant who  attracted customers through face-to-face sales. "IMF, the 2008 economic crisis was not this bad."

The pastor and the  parishioners of a quasi parish in one of the markets are doing their best to give hope to the owners of businesses in one of the Seoul markets. Many find hope in their faith. "I can't imagine a life without faith in this situation." During the year-end and New Year holidays, when stores should be crowded, there are only a lot of items piled up in the shopping district.
 

Currently, merchants are leaning on faith more desperately than ever. Merchants continue day by day  looking ahead with hope that the situation will be getting better.
 

The pastor has set aside time for Holy Hour every Friday, and when the Corona 19 subsided he personally visited the market merchants to say hello prayed with them and  showed concern for their health. Merchants said they are getting a lot of strength from the pastor's interest, and they feel that the church is playing a big role.  

 

"Corona 19 is a disaster that has never been seen before for merchants who have been living in the market. In the midst of a difficult life and irregular religious life, we want to help merchants to be comforted in faith and overcome this crisis."

 

In faith, hope shines brighter when shared with our neighbors. One of the merchants who had a hard time recently due to the effects of COVID-19, but he was able to recover quickly and returned to his daily life with the interest and prayers of the parishioners.

One merchant in a  situation where it was difficult to pay the monthly rent but those who met him did  not go away empty-handed. He is giving hope to those who are more in need. "A lot of money doesn't mean I'm happy," he said adding, "When I serve and share with a heart of love, I find the true meaning of life. It's a very difficult time, but if we find hope in the Lord who is always with us and share that hope with our neighbors, someday a bright light will shine brightly on us." Happy New Year!