Historic thread-spool kiosk in Tampere restored as retro grill stand

A dilapidated but protected 1930s kiosk in Tampere’s Viinikka district has been fully renovated and will reopen this week as a vintage-style grill stand, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Entrepreneur Jarno Kauppinen acquired the thread-spool kiosk—named for its original cylindrical design—for €7,500 at a city auction two years ago. Built in 1931, the 20-square-metre structure had fallen into severe disrepair, with only its frame remaining intact.

Kauppinen, a local construction professional who grew up in Viinikka, led the restoration under guidelines from Finland’s Heritage Agency. “We uncovered the original colour tones and materials, then worked with master painters to match them exactly,” he said. Drying out the water-damaged structure took months, with industrial dehumidifiers running continuously.

The kiosk will now operate as a retro grill stand run by Reima Halkosaari and Niko Sydänheimo, offering burgers, loose candies, and—given its location near a church and football pitch—pantyhose and bandages. “We’ve kept the name simple: Viinikka’s Thread-Spool Kiosk,” Halkosaari said. A 30-person test group visited this week ahead of Saturday’s official opening, with early feedback described as overwhelmingly positive.