A square building stands before you. Its blue facade a stark contrast to the surrounding cityscape. This is Obchodní dům Petřiny. Built in 1969 it was once the heart of the Petřiny housing estate.
The Obchodní dům Petřiny was more than just a shopping center. It was an experiment. An attempt to provide residents easy access to a wide variety of goods right on their doorstep. Architects Mixa and Vlašánek designed this ambitious project. They envisioned a central point for the community. Their vision included a spacious ground floor. This featured a self-service grocery store and a counter service for drinks. Upstairs shoppers could find clothing and textiles then household goods and sporting equipment.
The building’s original owner was the Včela consumer cooperative. Therefore the Obchodní dům Petřiny was known as Včela. Several glass cubes stood on the west side. These showcased merchandise along Brunclíkova Street. After 1990 these cubes were rented out to entrepreneurs. They have since been replaced by the Petřiny metro station entrance.
The Včela cooperative struggled after 1990. It lost its competitive edge. In 1997 the ground floor was leased to Lion. This later changed its name to Delvita. The first floor was also rented to individual traders. Eventually the cooperative sold the entire building.
Renovations around 2000 modernized the ground floor. Today the main part of the building is occupied by a Billa supermarket. A newsagent a florist and an insurance office also occupy the ground floor. Since November 2015 the second floor houses a model railway display. A fascinating tribute to another kind of transportation.
The Obchodní dům Petřiny’s location next to the metro station changed its surroundings. The tram stop was renamed from Obchodní dům Petřiny to Petřiny. This reflects the metro station’s name. A nearby tram stop was also renamed from Petřiny to Sídliště Petřiny. This reflects the evolution of the area. The Obchodní dům Petřiny continues to serve the community. It is a testament to the vision of its creators. It is a visible marker of the history of Petřiny. A place where residents once bought their everyday necessities. It serves as a reminder of a time when community life revolved around the local shopping center.