Society
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Century-Old Shop's Closure Threatens Remote Estonian Island Community
A 100-year-old shop in Pootsi village, which serves as the sole nearby store and provides weekly transport for the residents of Manija Island, is set to close in mid-February, prompting calls for government intervention to save the community's vital link to essential goods.
- —A 100-year-old shop in Pootsi village, Pärnu County, is planning to close in mid-February due to declining revenue and fewer customers.
- —The shop is a vital lifeline for the less than 40 residents of the nearby Manija Island, who rely on it as their closest store and are transported there weekly by the owner.
- —Local residents and a community representative are advocating for state and local government intervention, suggesting financial support models similar to Finland and Sweden to keep the rural business operational.
- —The City of Pärnu has expressed interest in the shop's continuation and is exploring options to increase financial support, though it will not engage in direct business operations.
Recap
The planned closure of the Pootsi shop is a test case for Estonia's commitment to its rural periphery. The situation has moved beyond a simple business failure, becoming a focal point for a debate on whether the state should actively subsidize essential services to prevent rural depopulation. The community's appeal to Nordic support models signals a demand for a policy shift, and the Pärnu city government's response will indicate the viability of such interventions.