Memories of Finland

In the summer of 1981, Aimo and Arlene Tervakoski and their sons, Eric and Mark, visited Finland, Aimo's homeland. During that trip, the Tervakoskis decided it was time to bring their memories of Finland back to their home in the Washington, D.C. area. They did not bring back only pictures, but samples of gift items from four Finnish manufacturers they met along the way. That fall, the family opened their gift shop in a spare bedroom at home. They combed the area telephone directories for Finnish names, and developed their first mailing list, sending postcards to nearly 300 Finns, many of whom came to the Tervakoski home to shop for Christmas gifts. In February 1982, they opened their gift shop "Memories of Finland" at its current location in College Park, Maryland.

Today, Memories of Finland is a thriving gift shop and the hub of the Finnish community in the Washington, D.C. area. Their current local mailing list exceeds 2,000. The business is still owned and operated by the Tervakoskis, and now includes a wholesale operation, The Finnishing Touch, which serves more than 275 gift and specialty stores across the US and Canada. They import items from more than 30 manufacturers and craftspeople in Finland, and visit Finland at least once a year in search of new items. In 1997, Memories of Finland unveiled its first website, designed and developed by son, Mark. Although now on their own, sons Eric and Mark still participate in the business whenever they can.

Memories of Finland has evolved from a home-based boutique to a multi-phase business that serves customers from College Park to Canberra. Memories of Finland remains a family business with only one primarily business goal: To serve its customers with the highest quality products and service possible.