The story behind the café

Family business

The history behind the Asemapäällikkö building dates back to 1912, and it has stood steady by the railways of Lahti ever since. Over the years, several stationmasters have lived in the house with their families and even to this day, you can feel the home-like warmth when you step into the house. While listening to the stories of the former residents it has been clear that a lot has happened inside these walls, but first and foremost that the doors have always been open for everyone. 

Years later after the last stationmaster moved out, the house was left in the shadow of the evolving city. However, the city made sure that the house became a part of the history of Lahti and thus began a new chapter for this building. 
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Nowadays, the house is owned by Henry Eskelinen who renovated the house inside and out. The wish was that Asemapäällikkö would be a place for the citizens and tourists, so Johanna and Mika Antikainen began to make this wish come true. In June 2017, the doors of the new café were opened and ever since then the building has been filled with the smell of fresh coffee and baked goods.

​In the spring of 2020 Asemapäällikkö got a new entrepreneur but the atmosphere and what Johanna and Mika has created, will be preserved. I, Soile Ylä-Jääski, started as the new entrepreneur. This has been a dream of mine and now I was able to make it come true. The official name of the company is is Syvälahti & Ylä-Jääski Oy. Another partner in this business is my father, to whom I am extremely grateful for helping me make my dream come true. 
We welcome you to enjoy the house and its history as well as our friendly staff and wonderful delicacies!

What we offer

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We carry a wide selection of sweet and salty for every taste, and not to forget our special coffees and other beverages. We prepare a healthy breakfast buffet every morning where every customer can build up a combination of their liking. The breakfast is served from 8am to 11am on weekdays and from 9 am to 12pm on Saturdays. The price of the breakfastbuffet is 8€. Don’t forget that we also have licenses to serve alcohol if you would like to stop by for a glass of bubbly in the cozy atmosphere of Asemapäällikkö.