A NEW, EXPERIENTIAL STORE CONCEPT IS LAUNCHING AS PART OF THE BRINKKALA BOUTIQUE COMPLEX

Brinkkala’s historic courtyard will come alive when a unique retail complex dedicated to art and creative artists opens its doors on Friday, May 8. The new concept combines retail, social interaction, and culture in a way that invites visitors to linger and enjoy themselves.

The complex consists of five separate retail spaces, two of which are still awaiting tenants. The goal is to create a diverse and inspiring environment where art, crafts, and creative entrepreneurship come together.

At the heart of the concept is the main tenant, Brinkka, which brings together products from artists and creators. Behind Brinkka is the couple Kristian Lehtinen and Karoliina Jokinen, familiar from the Kakola store. The space also features a small café with a liquor license, and a cozy terrace opens onto the courtyard. In addition to the store, Brinkka also serves as an event venue, providing a setting for workshops, small gatherings, and private events.

“The Brinkkala space is already stunning in its own right and is in a prime location. We wanted to create a space that would serve as a showcase for the Art House Turku and its artists. In the small café, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Our hope is that, over time, the space will also develop into a venue for small-scale events,” says entrepreneur Karoliina Jokinen.

The doors are open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Opening hours are extended during events.

Also part of the concept are Bienpuoti and JOKA Concept Store. Bienpuoti is the gallery shop familiar from B-galleria, showcasing products by artists and small business owners.

JOKA Concept Store is a creative laboratory specializing in upcycling and repurposing. There you’ll find secondhand items with a particular focus on natural materials, as well as art and design. JOKA organizes art workshops and offers repair services for clothing and small furniture, among other things. “We’re excited to embark on this new adventure. Many people think that everything fun and trendy happens in Helsinki, but Turku really has a lot to offer, and we hope to bring something interesting here,” say entrepreneurs Kaisa Leppäkoski and Joele Solinas.

With Brinkka Oy’s retail concept, the Art House Turku area will feature a distinct commercial hub, as Brinkkala’s courtyard will soon be home to an even greater number of interesting small shops.
“It feels wonderful that, going forward, even more doors at street level in Turku’s Old Town can be opened to reveal interesting offerings or experiential services. Our goal has been to create a neighborhood that’s bustling with life and offers many reasons to visit. We’re already well on our way,” enthuses Jere Pensikkala, CEO of Art House Turku.

Outolintu, Bedaprint, Koruranta, The Estonian Center of Southwest Finland, and Kirjakahvila have been operating in Brinkkala for some time now, so with the new retail concept, the street-level spaces in Brinkkala are slowly beginning to fill up with activity again. A few retail spaces are still available, so now is a great time for creative entrepreneurs to join this vibrant and growing community.