HISTORY

Coop HotelLocated in the heart of Jõgeva, Coop Hotel stands on the town’s main street in a building rich with history – a story that stretches back nearly a century.

It all began on October 27, 1919, when Jõgeva’s parish secretary, Oskar Sarnet, founded the Jõgeva Economic Union with the aim of opening a local shop (at the present-day Suur 18). Business began on March 1, 1920, and rapid growth – with sales increasing three to four times compared to the first year – quickly created the need for a larger space.

In 1922, a tender was announced to construct the Union’s own building at Suur 11. Local farmers came together to fund the project – pooling their resources, mortgaging farms, and taking out loans that were repaid over ten years. The initially two-storey building was completed quickly, and by 1923 the decision was made to add a third floor, which was finished in 1924.

The new building housed the main store on the ground floor, offering goods such as grain, seeds, flax, and metal products. The same floor also included the manager’s office, meeting rooms, and administrative offices. The other wing was rented out to Jõgeva Cooperative Bank. On the second floor, there was the manager’s apartment and Jõgeva Court of Peace. The third floor was reserved for rental apartments.

Over the years, the building underwent several renovations. The first major renovation came after the bank moved to a new building. Windows and commercial spaces were expanded, and the façade was updated. In 1939, the entire ground floor was converted into a large open-plan retail hall housing all departments.

In 1965, the Economic Union’s office relocated across the street to a building that today houses Restaurant Kosmos. In more recent decades, the historic building served as a Coop hardware and gardening store, which later moved to the new Pae Centre.