Stories from the Artisan Town: Riimikko Toy Store

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Some places never lose their magic.

For many in Porvoo, Riimikko is more than a toy store. It is a place woven into childhood memories, family traditions and quiet moments of wonder. For many of our guests, it has become an essential stop while exploring the streets of Old Porvoo.

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This year, Riimikko celebrates its 40th anniversary. In the spring, the beloved shop began a new chapter with new entrepreneur Linda, who had already spent nineteen years working among its shelves before continuing its story.

Stepping inside feels like crossing into another world. The wooden floors creak softly beneath your feet, the old house embraces you with its warmth, and every shelf reveals something unexpected. Wooden toys, dolls, puzzles and timeless treasures are displayed not to fill the space, but to invite curiosity

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Here, there is no rush.

Riimikko was founded by Riitta, whose vision was beautifully simple: to create a fairytale.

"I worked here for nineteen years before taking over the shop," Linda tells us. "Riitta wanted to create a magical world, and I think she truly succeeded."

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In the early years, Riitta and her husband handcrafted much of the store themselves. Delicate moving decorations filled the shop and its windows, created purely to delight visitors and make every visit feel a little more magical.

While those moving displays have disappeared over the years, the feeling remains.

Unlike modern toy stores, Riimikko is carefully curated rather than crowded. Every object seems to have found exactly the right place. It is a shop where children are encouraged to imagine, and where adults often find themselves smiling without quite knowing why.

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"I love being here," Linda says. "That's why I wanted to continue Riimikko's story. People arrive happy, and my favourite moment is hearing someone simply say, 'Wow,' as they walk through the door."

Perhaps that is Riimikko's greatest gift. It reminds us that wonder does not belong only to childhood. Sometimes all it takes is an old wooden house, beautifully crafted toys and permission to pause for a moment.

If you're staying with us at RUNO, we warmly recommend making time for a visit. Leave through our side entrance, turn right, and after just a few steps you'll discover one of Old Porvoo's most treasured little shops.

Because the best souvenirs are not always the ones you take home.

Sometimes, they are the moments that stay with you.

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Stories from the Artisan Town

Our Stories from the Artisan Town series celebrates the independent boutiques, workshops and family businesses that give Old Porvoo its unmistakable character. Behind every door is a story, a craft and a person keeping traditions alive, one thoughtful detail at a time.

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