Some places are not born from careful planning, but grow over time, like a garden where something new is planted each year. Thormani Talu café and craft shop is just such a place – shaped by years of work, experimentation, and a desire to do things in our own way, calmly and genuinely.
We have been selling handmade products here at the farm for 15–20 years. Sometimes more, sometimes less – depending on what life and work allowed. Production has changed over time, as have our target audiences, and it hasn’t always been possible to dedicate ourselves to this one hundred percent. Still, the idea of sharing our creations directly with people has always been there in the background, waiting.
Last summer, during the Open Farms event, we decided to freshen up the space a little and, alongside the craft shop, try running a café as well. What was meant to be just one weekend soon stretched into an entire summer. We stayed open on weekends until early September, and later also during Advent, when the demand for handmade Christmas gifts turned out to be greater than we had expected. Gift bags were filled with metal items, preserves, dried herbs, and home-decorated gingerbread.
That was when the feeling grew that this could become something more permanent.
Behind this place is the Thormani Talu family and our own personal stories. In 1997, I began building a blacksmith’s workshop, and ever since, metalwork has been part of my everyday life. Sometimes larger structures, sometimes smaller details – but the desire to make things by hand, and to give every piece its own character, has always remained.
For my partner, a hobby grew into a profession. What started as baking alongside regular work has become a daily craft – cakes, pastries, and baked goods made with just as much care as flavor. And so, in this place, we now get to bring together both worlds: metal and dough, the blacksmith’s hammer and the coffee cup.
Our dream is simple. To offer our products directly to people, in our own small, homely shop. To save on middle costs and put all our energy where we truly believe it belongs – into quality, durability, and making sure things remain beautiful even after long use.
When people leave our place, we hope they take something more with them than just a shopping bag or an empty coffee cup. We hope they leave a little inspired. Most of our items are created with the thought, “you won’t find this in a regular store.” They need to be practical, durable, and also pleasing to the eye. Many of our pieces are displayed here in real use, so visitors can see how they fit into everyday life.
Over time, we would like this place to become somewhere people come not only to shop or have coffee, but simply to gather. To talk, exchange ideas, and maybe even come up with something new themselves.
On the café side, we keep things simple and honest. We offer coffee, tea, homemade cakes, and pastries. For summer, we plan to open an outdoor kitchen with pizza and barbecue ovens. The menu is still taking shape, but the idea leans toward baked dishes and foods that are easy to share and enjoy at a relaxed pace.
Tooraine osas eelistame võimalikult palju kohalikku. Kui saab, siis ka oma põllult. Ürdid, köögiviljad ja hooajaline saak leiavad tee nii kööki kui ka poeriiulile.
Käsitööpood keskendub eelkõige metallile. Aiatarbed, lilletoed, riiulid ja muud esemed, mis on mõeldud päriselt kasutamiseks, mitte ainult vaatamiseks. Lisaks arendame lasergraveeritud suveniire ja hooajalisi kingitusi. Talvel on suureks rõõmuks olnud ka erinevad hoidiste komplektid, mis leiavad sageli tee kingipakki.
Meie asukoht määrab palju. Meri on jalutuskäigu kaugusel. Lottemaa, Pärnu Golf, surfirand, Reiu ujumisrand ja Pärnu linn jäävad kõik umbes kümne minuti rattasõidu raadiusesse. See kõik on hooajaline maailm, mis ärkab ellu kevadel ja suvel, ning meie liigume samas rütmis.
Paljud meie tooted on mõeldud aiapidajatele ja õueelu jaoks. Lilletoed, lilleriiulid, riputamiseks ja toestamiseks mõeldud tarbed, ürdid ja tšillid – need on asjad, millel on oma aeg ja oma hooaeg. Ka kohvikut on lihtsam pidada siis, kui saab kasutada värsket, hooajalist toorainet.
Muul ajal on käsitööpood avatud vastavalt vajadusele. Meie talu ei ole suur, aga siin on alati keegi kuskil toimetamas. Kui pood on kinni ja keegi oma sooviga kohale tuleb, siis teeme lihtsalt ukse lahti.
When it comes to ingredients, we prefer to use as much local produce as possible. If we can, from our own fields. Herbs, vegetables, and seasonal harvests find their way both into the kitchen and onto the shop shelves.
The craft shop focuses mainly on metal. Garden tools, plant supports, shelves, and other items meant to be truly used, not just admired. We are also developing laser-engraved souvenirs and seasonal gifts. In winter, different sets of preserves have been a particular joy, often finding their way into gift packages.
Our location means a lot. The sea is within walking distance. Lottemaa, Pärnu Golf, the surf beach, Reiu swimming beach, and the city of Pärnu are all within about a ten-minute bike ride. This is a seasonal world that comes alive in spring and summer, and we move in the same rhythm.
Many of our products are designed for gardeners and outdoor living. Plant supports, flower shelves, hanging and supporting tools, herbs, and chili plants – these are things that have their own time and season. Running the café is also easier when we can use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
At other times, the craft shop is open as needed. Our farm isn’t large, but there is always someone around, working on something. If the shop is closed and someone arrives with a request, we simply open the door.
For us, the ideal visit is a calm one. Someone arrives, takes a small coffee and a pastry, sits down, and starts talking. Often, in the middle of the conversation, the real reason for coming becomes clear. And there, over a cup of coffee, we usually find the best solution – whether it’s a gift, a garden tool, or something that doesn’t even exist yet.
We open our doors on April 1st. Something special is planned for that day, but exactly what is still a surprise – even to us.
Looking ahead, we have ideas for workshops and small community events. At Christmas, we already wanted to organize gingerbread workshops, but not everything came together in time. This year, we’ll try again.
Our biggest wish is that people talk about this place in a way that sparks curiosity in others. That they want to come and see for themselves what Thormani Talu café and craft shop really is.
Practical information
Opening: April 1st
Café open: April–September
Craft shop: open as needed
Location: Lottemaa, Pärnu, Reiu Beach, and Pärnu Golf – all within about 10 minutes
Social media
https://www.facebook.com/thormanitalu/
