Our Visit to Tuuri Deparment Store in Alavus
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We had long been planning a visit to Tuuri Department Store (Tuurin kyläkauppa). On a sunny November day, we finally made it happen and drove nearly four hours from Helsinki. Read our article to discover how we experienced Finland’s largest department store.
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Our Visit to Tuuri Department Store
We live in Helsinki, and until this trip, the only things we really knew about Tuurin Department Store were the buzz from locals and some eye-catching marketing stunts by its owner. Officially called Keskisen Kyläkauppa or Veljekset Keskinen, most people refer to it as Tuurin Kyläkauppa (Tuuri's Village Shop). Since it boasts being Finland’s largest department store and advertises budget-friendly prices, we saw our visit as a perfect chance to stock up on some essentials.
Nearly 4 Hours from Helsinki to Tuuri
The best way to reach Tuuri Department Store from Helsinki is by train or car. There aren’t many alternatives, though sometimes charter buses also run to the shop. When we looked into train travel, it involved multiple transfers, so we opted to drive instead. It turned out to be the fastest and most budget-friendly choice.
The quickest route from Helsinki to Alavus and on to Tuurin Kyläkauppa leads through Tampere. The drive to Tampere follows a smooth, well-maintained highway. After that, the next two hours take you down charming, winding country roads. While the roads are in good shape, passing spots are few, so it’s best to keep in step with the flow of traffic.
Much of our drive happened after sunset, but on bright summer days, there’s plenty to enjoy along the way.
Thanks to GPS, tracking down Tuuri Department Store was easy. It is located prominently in the countryside, so you can’t miss the giant horseshoe that marks the store’s entrance.
About Tuuri Department Store
The Company
Tuuri Department Store dates back to 1946 and has grown steadily over the years. Currently owned by Vesa Keskinen, the business enjoys steady profits, partly thanks to its clever publicity stunts.
Location
Tuuri Department Store sits in the village of Tuuri, within the city of Alavus. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Helsinki and roughly 2 hours less from Tampere. Summer drives could be even quicker with better conditions.
Parking
The store has a large free parking area, so you’ll almost always find a spot. Having your own car is definitely the easiest way to get here.
Railway Station
Tuuri has its own railway station with commuter trains stopping there. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the station to the department store, making it a convenient option if you prefer not to drive yourself. Read more about public transport in Filand.
Opening Hours
The general store and food shop are open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The hotel reception has slightly more extended hours. For restaurant opening times and other services, checking the store's website is your best bet.
Our Experiences at Tuuri Department Store
A few years ago, we drove to the Tuuri Department Store to experience it ourselves. We went in with open minds, not expecting much beyond knowing it's Finland’s largest store, which features added amenities like a hotel and restaurants. Beyond its size, we weren’t quite sure what to expect.
First Impressions
November wasn't the most scenic time of year here; we arrived under grey skies and steady rain. Parking was abundant and free, and we even managed to snag a spot right by the entrance.
Stepping through the main doors, we were greeted by a sleek, tidy lobby. It felt surprisingly clean and polished, especially compared to typical Finnish department stores. While not anywhere near the flashiness of places like Dubai Mall, the lobby was inviting and well-kept. Looking back, it’s clear a lot of care went into this entrance area, even if the rest of the store didn’t get quite the same treatment.
Restaurants
After our long drive, we were ready to eat and made a beeline for the restaurant street inside the shopping centre. Among our options were three cafes, Vesa’s Burger, Vesa’s Steakhouse, OnnenTähti Pizza Buffet, the Miljoona Rock restaurant, plus the home-style OnnenKivi. The food selection felt a bit underwhelming. Today, most bigger Finnish malls have food courts stocked with popular international chains. The good news? Tuuri Department Store has maintained its independence and local character, steering clear of global franchises.
We chose lunch at OnnenKivi’s buffet, which featured chilli beef, mashed potatoes, and salmon—a classic Finnish spread. The food was solid and tasty, but nothing too fancy or memorable.
The Department Store
After lunch, we headed to the main shopping area. The space felt a bit like a giant Prisma or Citymarket: a vast, no-frills hall packed with goods arranged in a somewhat haphazard way. It was not stylish, but there’s no shortage of products. Prices were reasonable, and several promotional offers were available. Chances are, you’ll find just about anything you can think of here.
The red price tags caught our eye—usually, red signals a special deal, but here it’s just the standard colour. Staff were spread throughout the store, but rarely approached customers proactively, except for one beneficial person in the vitamin section. Elsewhere, employees were polite but didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic.
With such a broad selection, we picked up clothes, kitchen gadgets, and a few small electronics. Going to Tuuri with a list is a good idea, you’ll find competitive prices all around.
Food Store
The department store itself doesn’t carry groceries, except for holiday sweets around Christmas. For regular food shopping, there’s the Food Store, a grocery section that feels like a more basic Stockmann Herkku in style and range.
We spotted some incredible deals there. Five packs of coffee for just ten euros, and blueberries for under a euro, a real bargain. Although we didn’t exhaustively compare prices, the deals stood out. The Food Store offers a broad selection, including many Village Shop-branded products. It’s definitely worth poking around if you want great finds.
One curious thing: coffee packages we grabbed had no Finnish text, only Estonian, sourced through different channels than typical Finnish stores. The lack of Finnish texts didn’t bother us, but it may be a downside for some shoppers seeking Finnish-labelled products.
Hotel
Tuuri Department Store also has its own hotel on site. Staying overnight here could be a convenient way to rest up before heading home. We stayed in Tampere instead, where prices were a bit better, about 100 euros per night at Tuurin’s hotel. We didn’t visit the hotel ourselves, but photos suggest a classic, no-nonsense decor.
Camping Site
Right next to the department store is Caravan Site Onnela, a campsite open year-round with affordable rates. It’s a handy, budget-friendly option for caravanners and campers wanting to stay a couple of nights.
Bottom Line
From what we experienced, Tuurin Kyläkauppa offers excellent shopping opportunities with affordable prices, decent dining, and some relaxing spots. While the interior design may feel unfinished and uneven, likely due to numerous small expansions, there are charming touches scattered throughout.
Next time, we hope to visit during the summer when the area is livelier and outdoor activities are in full swing. We’re also curious to see when Tuurin will roll out more digital services, as they are currently quite limited.
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