Iconic city-centre kiosk set for a comeback

Endearingly named by locals as “Asta’s kiosk”, the small kiosk between the City Hall and the houses of Parliament was recently removed as it was nearing the end of its days due to wear and tear.

A remake of the Faroese flag-coloured building is currently under construction, and according to Johannes Jensen, CEO of hotel and restaurant firm Gist & Vist, which heads the restoration project, it will be put back in its old spot in the coming days.

“We think the kiosk has its own identity, its own soul and it is of great historical important to the city,” says Jensen. “Not many kiosks are worth restoring or rebuilding, but Asta’s most certainly is.”

A legend retires

The kiosk was built in 1931. In 1945, when Asta Næs was 15 years old, she took over the running of the kiosk from her father and has been a regular fixture there up until her retirement in 2015, aged 87.

In the years that Asta ran the place, it functioned as a news stand and a refreshment kiosk. Now, the new owners are aiming to continue Asta’s tradition and adapt it to the busy tourist hot spot that Tórshavn city centre has become.

“We are going to turn ‘Asta’ into a modern food and coffee takeaway,” says Jensen.

Translated by prosa.fo