An endless party! New liquor store to open next to notorious social housing complex

A new liquor store is set to open next to Tallinn’s troubled Tuulemaa social housing complex, despite years of efforts by city officials and local residents to curb drinking-related disorder there.

Deputy Mayor Riina Solman reacted angrily to the news. “We have worked for months to bring peace back to residents, moved people from the social housing complex to other accommodation units, hired a security company and spoken with people on site, and now an alcohol company that wants to take the last money from them is throwing everything into disarray!” she said.

The Tuulemaa complex, in North Tallinn, has long been associated with what officials and residents describe as alcohol-fuelled trouble. Earlier in the summer, concerns around the building had become so serious that several families with children decided to move away.

The planned store has renewed the conflict over how to improve safety and living conditions around the social housing complex. Solman said the city’s recent measures were intended to restore calm, but the opening of a liquor outlet at the same location threatens to undo that work.

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We have worked for months to bring peace back to residents, moved people from the social housing complex to other accommodation units, hired a security company and spoken with people on site, and now an alcohol company that wants to take the last money from them is throwing everything into disarray!