Revitalized Retail Scene on Laugavegur: Resistance and Renewal in the Face of Challenges
In the wake of the pandemic, Reykjavik's beloved shopping street, Laugavegur, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once bustling with tourists, the street is now embracing a new era, focusing more on engaging the local community.
One of the most exciting new additions is the Munasafn RVK Tool Library, which has moved from an industrial basement in Grandi to a prime position on Laugavegur. This innovative initiative allows residents to borrow tools and camping gear, promoting a sense of community and sustainability. The sign outside the library still reads "For Rent," a testament to the speed of the change.
Anna, the manager of Munasafn RVK Tool Library, believes that the pandemic is pushing Laugavegur in a positive direction towards evolution. She sees this shift as a step towards a more community-oriented street.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Thor Huntingdon-Williams, manager of cafe/bar Prikið Kaffihús, is supporting innovative creative projects in Covid-hit Reykjavik through his project Sköpum líf í lokun. This social endeavour has ushered in a new project at Laugavegur 2, a previously vacant address that was once occupied by an Icelandic street-food business.
Hjarta Reykjavikur, a design and craft boutique on Laugavegur, has also adapted to the changing landscape. The store, which previously catered to tourists, has shifted focus to Icelandic customers. This shift has necessitated a move to a bigger location, where they now offer jigsaw puzzles and a gallery space.
Laugavegur businesses such as Aftur, Kron, and Kokka have also expanded their premises during the tourism hiatus.
Musician Rósa Birgitta Ísfeld has organized a musical advent calendar event called Talið í Tónum on Laugavegur. Taking place in a previously vacant gift shop on Laugavegur, the event involves local musicians performing a pop-up show every day from December 1st to 23rd, free for the public. Rósa received support for Talið í Tónum from the city's Miðborgarsjóður (Midtown Funding) programme.
Sæunn Ósk Unnsteinsdóttir, a project manager in the office of Reykjavik's mayor, is responsible for liaison with businesses in the city center. She has been instrumental in facilitating these new initiatives, working closely with local businesses and cultural groups to revitalize Laugavegur's atmosphere.
It's worth noting that some 14 percent of retail properties on Laugavegur are currently empty due to reduced foreign tourism. However, these empty spaces are being repurposed for creative and social projects, breathing new life into the street.
For precise and up-to-date details, I recommend checking local Reykjavik or Icelandic cultural news sources or community websites that cover developments on Laugavegur post-pandemic. One example is a new swap shop at Laugavegur 2, where clothes can be brought in and swapped for other clothes.
John Pearson, a freelance journalist living in Reykjavik with a background in music broadcasting, underwater photography, and scuba diving instruction, has been documenting these changes. His work provides a fascinating insight into the creative and social initiatives that have emerged on Laugavegur following the reduction in foreign tourism due to the pandemic.
- The Munasafn RVK Tool Library, a new addition to Laugavegur, promotes a sense of community and sustainability by allowing residents to borrow tools and camping gear.
- Anna, the manager of the Munasafn RVK Tool Library, believes the pandemic is pushing Laugavegur towards a more community-oriented street.
- Geoffrey Thor Huntingdon-Williams, manager of Prikið Kaffihús, is supporting creative projects in Reykjavik through Sköpum líf í lokun, a social endeavor that has facilitated a new project on Laugavegur 2.
- Hjarta Reykjavikur, a design and craft boutique on Laugavegur, has shifted its focus from tourists to Icelandic customers, necessitating a move to a bigger location where they now offer jigsaw puzzles and a gallery space.
- Musicians are using empty retail spaces on Laugavegur for pop-up shows, such as the Talið í Tónum event organized by Rósa Birgitta Ísfeld, which has received support from the city's Miðborgarsjóður (Midtown Funding) programme.
