Turku, Café Börs

When I moved to Turku, back in previous millenium, my first (or second - or first of two first) regular town-office was located in Café Börs. Located in the lobby of Hotel Börs, and together with other restaurant/bar/nightclub-facilities, it was back then a popular spot. Admittedly, there wasn't that much competition in that period. It was only after the turn of millenium, when Turku got much better selection of cafés. Back then, there was Aschan, Naantalin aurinkoinen and Café Fontana - and few small places. Café Fontana was my favorite back then, but more of that later.

Café Börs used to have good cappuccinos and caffe lattes. Provided with daily newspapers, all office supplies were there. Other serving wasn't and still isn't breath-taking, but after all, it is supposed to be a lobby café. Back in good old days (!), café and bar were separated. After a renovation they joined them together - or rather threw the café part in the bar. Café had went downhill few years already, and what is most regrettable, they changed their good coffee machine out and replaced it with automatic piece of plastic. With that move, the quality of my caffe latte got so bad, that I withdrew my appointments, and looked elsewhere. Luckily there were already few new cafés in town, so I wasn't left alone in the streets.

Above is Börs Café in its present condition. The old café counter was located in the corner behind the couch. Still, it provides fair enough views for the market square, even with lousy coffee.

With its location and views of the market square, Börs Café&Bar will still have its merits for meeting place. I gave it a second chance last year, changing to tea, but since there are many other cafés now in town, it isn't my regular office anymore. One of my Christmas traditions has been a cappuccino in Café Börs after listening the Christmas peace declaration (or something like that) in old market square across the river. They provide their popular Christmas glögi also, but I used to prefer cappuccino (last time I took the glögi). Due the development of last years, this tradition is on its verge of ending. But they'll survive, even without me.