From Iceland — Vínbúðin To Stay On Austurstræti, Mayor Says

Vínbúðin To Stay On Austurstræti, Mayor Says

Published April 6, 2022

Photo by
ÁTVR by Danninja/Wikimedia Commons

Mayor of  Reykjavík Dagur B. Eggertsson wrote on Twitter that Vínbúðin, the government-run alcohol concern (ÁTVR), will remain in the center of the capital. The wine shop on Austurstræti will not be closed unless one or two other smaller shops open in the town center.

Not in Iceland for a while but still want to read our new issue? Get it sent from the Grapevine Store, and you’ll get the previous issue sent with it! Our latest cover story is on the war in Ukraine, while First Lady Eliza Reid graces the cover of the issue previous–plus culture, news and travel and more!

When a potential new location for Vínbúðin was announced in November, the reaction from the public was negative. Many people were very unhappy that Vínbúðin would no longer be within walking distance for the residents of the center. 

Dagur said: “At a meeting with the CEO of ÁTVR, we pressed the point that the store on Austurstræti would not close despite an agreement being reached on Grandi. He informed us that if Austurstræti was closed, 1-2 well-located but smaller shops in the downtown area would be advertised to replace them.”

Dagur is pleased with the result and says he can well imagine two smaller stores. He has a possible location in mind: “One in the area Lækjartorg/Hafnartorg and the other in the Hlemmur area that would meet the large number of people who live and work in this area or are there as tourists.”

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!