Changwonderful
Photos and text by Coby Zeifman
For most foreigners living in Changwon, less is more. That is to say, having fewer possessions is better. This is because when it eventually comes time to move back to our home countries, it means we have less stuff to move, throw away, or sell. Most of us live in small studio apartments, where our things can accumulate exponentially, causing clutter and overall headache. Simply put, stuff can be a hassle.
That said, it is now springtime, which means that it’s time for spring cleaning! Fortunately, there are three Beautiful Stores in Changwon (and one in Masan) where you can donate your unwanted items. Beautiful Store (아름다운 가게) is a Korean secondhand store chain and NGO that promotes environmental awareness, local social enterprise, charity, community, and fair trade. At each Beautiful Store location, customers can buy used clothes, kitchenware and appliances, small furniture, books, and sports equipment at reduced prices.
To donate, simply visit your nearest Beautiful Store with the items you want to donate. Guidelines for accepted items can be found here. Larger donations can be delivered or arranged to be picked up via an online form. Each Beautiful Store also has a donation bin that allows people to conveniently drop off items after business hours (usually 10:30am-6:00pm).
There are Beautiful Store locations in Jungang-dong, Palyong-dong, and Bonggok-dong in Changwon and in Jasan-dong in Masan.
Jungang-dong: Located near O’Briens
Neighborhood address: 경상남도 창원시 성산구 중앙동 57-13 (Seongsan-gu Jungang-dong 57-13)
Street address: 경상남도 창원시 성산구 용지로 75 (Seongsan-gu Yongji-ro 75)
Palyong-dong: Located on the ground floor of the Wellbeing Building
Neighborhood address: 경상남도 창원시 의창구 팔용동 42-1
Bonggok-dong: Located somewhat near Bongnim-dong and Changwon University
Neighborhood address: 경상남도 창원시 의창구 봉곡동 151-1 (Uichang-gu Bonggok-dong 151-1)
Street address: 경남 창원시 의창구 봉곡로93번길 20 (Uichang-gu Bonggok-ro 94-20)
Jasan-dong (Masan): Located on the ground floor of the Wellbeing Super 24 Sauna (웰빙수파24시사우나), near the 315 Memorial and Muhak Elementary School
Neighborhood address: 경상남도 창원시 마산합포구 자산동 302-4 1층 (Masan-happo-gu Jasan-dong 302-4, 1st floor)
Street address: 경상남도 창원시 마산합포구 자산삼거리로 6 (Masan-happo-gu Jasan-samgeori-ro 6)
So if you feel like clutter is taking over your apartment, do some good in your community and head over to a Beautiful Store donation bin to bring peace to your home.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website’s FAQ.
