Uusi vaate on ihanin silloin, kun se on vanha.
Jos olet kaltaiseni vintageharakka, matkustellessasi rakastat tutkailla uusia apajia. Kymmenen Kalliossa asutun vuoden jälkeen olen kuitenkin tehnyt viime aikoina tämän havainnon: kaupunginosamme second hand -tarjonta on kehittynyt niin verrattomasti, ettei ole varsinaista tarvetta lähteä yhtään kauemmas.
Päätin koostaa lemppariputiikeistani ja Kallion valikoimasta listan, puoleeni kun käännytään varsin usein näissä tärkeissä pukeutumisasioissa. Puoteja on ilo esitellä, sillä niistä jokaisessa palvellaan huomioivasti ja asiantuntevasti. Lopuksi listattuna myös lähistön kirpputoreja sekä kahviloita ja ravintoloita, kun tulee tarve lepuuttaa jalkoja.
Tässä siis vinkkini sinulle, ystävä! Parhainta metsästysonnea!
Better than new: if you agree that no new garment compares to the bliss of finding a perfect, preloved friend — a new old friend —, you’ve come to the right place. Having lived in Kallio for over a decade, I consider myself lucky: I practically live in a vintage heaven! Let me guide you through the streets of my neigbourhood, where you will find a handful of beautiful second-hand stores. Further below, I have also included a list the nearby flea markets, and some cafés and restaurants.
Happy hunting!
Etsinnät kannattaa aloittaa Karhupuistosta, jonne vievät raitiovaunut 1, 3 ja 9. (Ja huomio: liikkeet on numeroitu selkeyden vuoksi, mutta tämän postauksen numerojärjestys ei ole mikään arvojärjestys; jokainen näistä putiikeista on ykkönen omalla tavallaan.)
I suggest that you start your exploration at Karhupuisto park. The trams 1, 3 and 9 will take you there. (Please note that the order is purely random, and the numbers do not equal to a ranking between these wonderful stores.)
1. Hoochie Mama Jane, Agricolankatu 11
A gem of a boutique, the colorful Hoochie Mama Jane invites you right in across the street from Karhupuisto. If you need to dress up, Hoochie Mama Jane just might be your best bet. You’ll find here beautiful evening gowns and a fine selection of vintage jewelry – and often some pretty extravagant choices, too (sequins! fringes!), but then also more casual vintage stuff, like great boots and bags. There is a seamstress working at the store, who, if need be, can make the necessary adjustments to your otherwise perfect find.
2. Ansa, Agricolankatu 5
Climbing up Agricolankatu, behind the library of Kallio, the charming Ansa offers a selection of cute and elegant vintage treats. You’ll find great picks from Finnish designers from the 60s or 70s, but they also have cool, more recent stuff, like funky novelty sweaters from the 80s. Small batches of their own accessories or home decor stuff available at times.
3. Frida Marina, Kaarlenkatu 10
In search of a romantic, 70s style dress? Frida Marina might be your choice. The store has two sections: stepping down to the basement from the street, you’ll enter a neatly curated vintage section. Further on, in another room, is a flea market, where you’ll find both older and new stuff for very affordable prices — and everything is always impeccably organized, no need to fear going through any untidy piles. And, why not enjoy a cup of tea or coffee during your visit: there is a small, cosy café in the back. A selection of organic cosmetics also available.
In the same premises you will find also a vintage-inspired interior decoration store Moonk.
4. Mekkomania, Fleminginkatu 12 b
Mekkomania is a more recent neigbor, it moved to Kallio from Töölö in the spring of 2016. The name of the store translates to ”dress mania”, so prepare yourself for an abundance of dresses! A specialist in Finnish vintage (Marimekko, Vuokko…), here you’ll also find stylish coats, wonderful hats and chic accessories.
5. Second Hand Kallio, Hämeentie 32
Lovely little store located in Hämeentie, a 5-minute walk from Karhupuisto. Women’s clothes and accessories from more recent decades, also some children’s clothes (at least at times) and stuff for the home, like furniture and lamps. A small, changing selection of new home decor items by Finnish designers, like cute kitchen towels.
6. Soul Vintage, Helsinginkatu 6
Button-up shirts and vests, suede jackets with fringes, boots and baseball caps, the selection at Soul Vintage is on trend (currently the 90s vibe is strong), with an urban feeling to it. The store serves also as an art gallery for up-and-coming artists.
Second-hand store chains and flea markets:
7. Recci, Helsinginkatu 16
A Helsinki-based second-hand store chain promotes textile recycling (there are two shops, one in Kaisaniemi, and another one here in Kallio). Selection varies.
8. Fida Hakaniemi, Hämeentie 5a and Fida Sörnäinen, Hämeentie 31
The biggest chain of second-hand shops in Finland is run by Fida International, the missions and development cooperation organisation of the Finnish Pentecostal churches. Clothes for both adults and children, furniture, books, toys, etc.
9. UFF Hämeentie 4 and UFF Hämeentie 29
A chain of second-hand shops run by the international humanitarian organisation UFF.
Since you’re in the neighbourhood… some picks from the nearby Vallila
+10. Vallilan Stoori, Sturenkatu 36
A self-service flea market / café situated in the neighboring Vallila, you will get there by tram 7A from Hämeentie. The charming store organizes yoga events and brunches. A selection of cosmetics, soaps, and home decor stuff.
+11. Konepajan Bruno, Aleksis Kiven katu 17a
A big indoor flea market in a former railway engine workshop, organized usually on Sundays. Check the dates on their Facebook page.
Refreshments, anyone?
For a refreshing break, I suggest the following cafés and restaurants:
Cafés
Karhupuisto / nearby
- IPI Kulmakuppila (also lunch)
- Bergga (also lunch)
- Café Cardemumma (also lunch)
- Bear Park Café
- Taikalamppu
- Kotileipomo Avikainen (a little bakery I used to live next to; this hidden gem, tucked away in Torkkelinmäki, is a traditional neighborhood bakery, I strongly recommend their apple beignets…)
Helsinginkatu / nearby
Vaasankatu / nearby
Lunch or dinner
Karhupuisto (see above list of cafés)
Helsinginkatu / nearby
Vaasankatu / nearby
- Döner Harju
- Street Gastro
- …and lots of other little restaurants
Mitä tykkäsit postauksesta? Oliko vinkeistä iloa? Tuliko mieleen jotakin, mitä listaan voisi lisätä tai löysitkö mahdollisesti jotakin korjattavaa? Kerro ihmeessä, otan kaikki kommentit mielelläni vastaan! Aion myös päivittää tämän postauksen aika ajoin, jotta se pysyy ajan tasalla. Jos huomaat jonkin tiedon muuttuneen, vinkkaa ihmeessä – suuret kiitokset!
Did you enjoy this post? Was there something that I missed, or perhaps even something that should be corrected? Do let me know! I also intend to update this post from time to time. Any tips regarding changes in addresses or links etc that I might not have noticed, are highly appreciated. Thank you!