Alppimaja restaurant relocates in Ruokolahti, Finland amidst demolition concerns

Finland boasts a variety of unique cafés and restaurants, one being Alppimaja, located in Ruokolahti, South Karelia. Since opening in 1977 in a former cooperative building, the restaurant reached its peak popularity in the early 1980s but continues to attract visitors today. In 2018, a local media outlet documented a gathering of the restaurant’s famous ‘läski-soosi’ club, revealing the local custom of preparing the dish with rye flour.

This autumn, local residents faced uncertainty as the original cooperative building was slated for demolition. However, the restaurant’s owner, Tomi Raijas, managed to negotiate a move just 100 meters away into a former bank. Raijas noted that there are few existing buildings in the area, prompting the need for an innovative solution.

The ambiance in the new space starkly contrasts the original Alppimaja. Though the restaurant has taken on a fresh identity, remnants of its banking past remain, including an operational ATM. Interviews were briefly interrupted by transactions at the outdoor machine, which added an unexpected dimension to the setting. Raijas commented on the pleasant sound of cash being dispensed, a reassuring backdrop for the café atmosphere.

The substantial vault within the restaurant required drilling for ventilation due to its thick, reinforced walls. Interestingly, it serves as a storage area for alcohol and food supplies rather than holding any financial valuables.

Overall, residents of Ruokolahti have responded positively to the beloved restaurant’s relocation, eager to continue enjoying what Alppimaja offers in its new home.