Keittiö & Baari Juuri
Korkeavuorenkatu 27
www.juuri.fi

Who are you and what do you do?
We are Restaurant Juuri's proprietors Jarkko Myllymäki and Ilja Björs. Ilja also works as a shop assistant at Juuri Shop.

How long has your shop been a member of Design District Helsinki?
"Restaurant Juuri has been involved since the constitutive meeting of the association," Myllymäki says. "The shop has been a member since its opening, that is, for little over a year," Björs adds.

Why did you decide to become members of the Design District?
"The idea behind the district is to create common activities in the area and spread its reputation as a design district. This aroused our interest," Myllymäki explains. "We wanted to be involved in developing a new urban culture, and food is an essential part of that," Björs comments.

What is the role of design in your life?
For Myllymäki, design represents a well-designed and well-made product. He states that food is design as well. Björs, on the other hand, values every-day design, usable and well-thought-out products and services.

Other than your own shop, what is your favourite store in Design District Helsinki and why?
Myllymäki recommends the Aeroa Design Furniture shop for Design District visitors. "They have a lot of Finnish interior design," he says. Björs, on the other hand, suggests a visit to Juuri Shop's neighbouring jewellery craftsmen, such as Harri Syrjänen's and Maria Sundman-Laakso's shops. "Let's give credit to craftsmanship!"

What unique and special features does your shop bring to the ensemble of Design District Helsinki?
Myllymäki and Björs guarantee that Juuri Restaurant's customers will get to experience Finnish food design. Juuri Shop, on the other hand, offers individual, handmade products made by small producers. "In the shop, you can really feel a blast from the past," Björs says sentimentally.

If you were a Finnish design item, what item would you be and why?
"The Pirkka table by Ilmari Tapiovaara. It really represents economical and functional design. Although I'm not necessarily always that functional myself," Myllymäki laughs. "I would be Fiskars' orange scissors. Functional, simple and recognisable design," Björs states.

Text: Sara Peltola



Pumpkin
Eerikinkatu 1
www.pumpkin.fi

Who am I and what do I do?
Pumpkin is the name of our shop. Pumpkin is a children's clothing shop specialised in small Scandinavian clothing brands (sizes 60-130cm). In addition, we sell gifts and home furnishing products. We also have our own brand, Aarrekid collection, which we sell to retailers in Finland and all around Europe.

How long has your shop been a member of Design District Helsinki?
Since August 2008.

Why did you decide to become a member of Design District Helsinki?
We thought that it was important to be part of a community that promotes design, art and culture. It is important for us to be a part of as many Design District Helsinki events as possible.

What is the role of design in your life?
It is a very important part of my life, because I'm a fashion designer. Nowadays designers have to consider ecological and ethical matters and we want to face these challenges.

Other than your own shop, what is your favourite store in Design District Helsinki and why?
I don't have one special favourite. I visit many shops, on an equal basis, whenever I have time. Although, Design Forum Shop is a good place to come with visitors, because there one can find so much under one roof.

What unique and special features does your shop bring to the ensemble of Design District Helsinki?
We have a versatile selection of original Finnish brands for children. The children's clothing collections are not as personal in other shops that sell Finnish children's collections. In addition, all of our products are made in the European Union, and most of our products are eco-friendly.

If you were a Finnish design item, what item would you be and why?
That's a difficult question! I admire the glass objects of Finnish designers so maybe some beautiful, hand-blown glass vase with soft lines.

Text: Sara Peltola