An Old Shop, a Long Build, and Lots of Help
How an Old Corner Shop Became FIR
This is the story of FIR. Or at least, one version of it. Because, really, it’s not just about a bar, it’s about what happens when an idea takes on a life of its own. When an old corner shop becomes something completely different. When the money runs out but people show up anyway. When a vision is shaped by far more hands than the two that first set it in motion.
FIR began with Buddha Browett and Mark Schorah, two Swedes by choice who’d always had a soft spot for those easygoing, unpretentious neighbourhood bars. The places where the beer’s always cold, the music’s spot on, and you’re just as likely to run into an old mate as you are to leave with a new one. Malmö, for all its charms, didn’t quite have that.
So, in October 2022, they took over the lease of a run-down shop on the corner of Karlshamnsgatan and Sölvesborgsgatan, just across from Buddha’s other spot, Flax Café. The location had potential. More than that, it had the makings of a true community hub.
Taking over the space was the easy part. Turning it into FIR? That was another story.
The Build That Just Wouldn't End
This wasn’t just a case of fresh paint and a few bits of furniture. It needed serious work. Planning permissions. Major renovations. Ventilation, bathrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The kind of things you don’t notice when they’re done right, but absolutely would if they weren’t. And that was just the beginning.
At first, things moved with the buzz of a new project. But as the months dragged on, legal hurdles piled up and costs spiralled. The reality of it all started to hit. Buddha and Mark, both working full-time jobs, threw everything they had into it. Every spare hour, every bit of energy, every last krona. And still, somehow, the finish line kept moving further away.
By November 2023, it was clear they couldn’t do it alone. It wasn’t just money they needed, but time, skills, and the kind of community spirit that turns a good idea into something real. So they put out a call on Instagram.
Four incredible people stepped in, each bringing something special that FIR couldn’t have done without.
The People Who Built FIR
Per Rosquist didn’t just invest in FIR. He built much of what you see inside it. A master of interior design and carpentry, he spent hours after work adding warmth and character to the space. Then there was Lukas Nilsson, an “electrical wizard” and fixer of pretty much anything, who made sure everything ran as it should. Sebastian Pohle and Henrik Nordström jumped in too. Not because they had to, but because they believed in what FIR could become. They brought ideas, helped solve problems, and, when it came down to it, lent a much-needed pair of hands.
But it didn’t end there. FIR wasn’t built by a team of hired contractors. It was built by a whole community. Regulars from Flax Café turned up with paintbrushes and power tools, hauling debris, assembling furniture, and helping out wherever they could.
The creative soul of FIR owes much to two local artists. Madelene Wikskär’s artwork on the roller shutters became so iconic it’s now a permanent fixture. She also designed FIR’s entire visual identity. Then there’s Johan Beslagic Gelinder, founder of While Loops Interactive, who created the unique lighting installation, setting the perfect atmosphere at the touch of a button. Together, Madelene and Johan gave FIR its vibrant, artistic pulse.
And Then, Finally, FIR Opened
It took longer than anyone expected. It cost more than anyone planned. But in May 2024, after months of late nights, unexpected roadblocks, and an outpouring of help, FIR finally opened its doors.
And here’s the thing: FIR isn’t just ours. It belongs to everyone who picked up a paintbrush, helped with the build, or believed in the idea before it was existed. Every detail inside reflects the heart, hands, and creativity of the people who made it happen. FIR is more than a bar. it’s part of the neighbourhood.
So, whether you’ve come in for a pint, a bite to eat, or just to see a familiar face, you’re part of the story too.
Welcome to FIR