LOCK CHUCK

LOCK CHUCK A studio dedicated to bringing different cultures. We successfully drew a large group of fans and made it a landmark in town. What’s more to expect here?

We set up a pop-up store on a tranquil street, Zhusigang 2nd Lu, last year where we tested our idea and concept, that’s to bridge all walks of people and different culture. We are always enthusiastic to make surprises. The new store located on the same neighbour, No 6 Xiniu Lu, is taken on a brand new design concept, integrating minimalism and vintage style. Our well trained international team are

always passionate in serving you good coffee. We are proudly collaborate with Irving Farm. Yes, many of you must have heard that it’s one of most beloved coffee roaster in New York. To keep you in tune with the latest global trend, no problem. We are happy to share with you our finest global titles stocking, Monocle from London, Popeye from Japan, etc. Of course, our familiar wonderful smiles. It’s never frozen here. Come to heat up. Coffee and love taste best when hot.

[Finns Speak Romance] While we were deep in writing this story in the shop, the door swung open—and there he was, a fami...
25/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]
While we were deep in writing this story in the shop, the door swung open—and there he was, a familiar face. It took me a second to recognize him.

It was Professor Hannu, returning after three months.

I hugged him tightly.

“Surprise! Here I come again,” he said with his signature smile.

In that moment, I thought, this only happens in movies—if it weren’t for the setting.

Finns speak romance in their own way—through pauses, through the way they let life slow down, letting love and moments linger longer.

[Finns Speak Romance] My trip to Finland felt like something straight out of a romantic movie.Forest, my colleague, summ...
25/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]
My trip to Finland felt like something straight out of a romantic movie.

Forest, my colleague, summed it up perfectly: In this movie, every encounter feels destined and every moment is graceful.

Back in 2017, during her second year of university, Forest thought, “Why not live in Europe for a while?” The question was where? Among a curated list of European universities, fate whispered: Aalto University, Finland. It was only later that she realized how moments are often guided by destiny. What began as a fleeting thought turned into an unexpected, yet beautiful, romance of friendship.

When Forest landed in Finland, she met Estelle, an effortlessly cosmopolitan Parisian with Chinese roots. Estelle was waiting with the Aalto exchange crew.

That was the beginning of their friendship—one that would travel from Finland to Canada, the U.S., and China. Together, they experienced the magic of Helsinki Design Week 2017, and in a sea of unfamiliar faces, fate led them to the same orientation group. It was a gentle reminder that some meetings are meant to be.

“Who could’ve imagined that a simple ‘Hi’ would echo across the years?” Forest reflected.

“Just like when Professor Hannu pushed open the door,” I added.

[Finns Speak Romance] My explorations of Finland have filled me with an overwhelming sense of wonder. Even though I had ...
25/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]
My explorations of Finland have filled me with an overwhelming sense of wonder. Even though I had imagined this place a thousand times, nothing compares to experiencing it firsthand.

The last friend I visited in Helsinki was Professor Hannu Kahonen—the one who sparked it all. Before LOCK CHUCK moved to its current location, we rented a small third-floor studio in a quiet residential area. The only sign outside read “Delay No More.”

It was curiosity that led Professor Hannu, then a visiting professor in Guangzhou, to push open the door, and from that moment, our friendship began.

We met at Café Ekberg, Finland’s oldest café, dating back to 1852. We sat by the window, hugged, and caught up.

“I’ve seen photos of Finland, heard stories, but being here is so overwhelming— in a good way,” I told him. “Looking back at LOCK CHUCK’s journey, Finland has always been there, in the background, ever since you walked through our door ten years ago. The story started then.”

“I’m so happy to see how far you’ve come,” Professor Hannu smiled, handing me two brochures—one showcasing his design work and another for his recent Tokyo exhibition.
I was inspired. “You designed the lower-deck trams? I’ve taken so many photos of them since I got here.”

“Finns are romantic,” I said, reflecting on my experiences.

Professor Hannu chuckled. “That’s not something we often hear, but I agree with you. We are.”

As we spoke, a tram slid into the platform outside, paused, then moved on. It felt like a scene change in a movie.

[Finns Speak Romance]Even after retirement, Professor Esa keeps an impressively full schedule. Still, he found time to i...
19/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]
Even after retirement, Professor Esa keeps an impressively full schedule. Still, he found time to invite me to Aalto University and insisted on being my guide.

“Riitta told me you explored Helsinki,” he said. “I’d like to show you something different.”Standing before the campus directory, he added, “I studied here, and later I taught here. I’ve spent most of my life at Aalto. The campus keeps evolving, but the heart remains the architecture department and the library.”

The moment I stepped inside the architecture building, I felt overwhelmed. Wooden chairs, curved tables, soft lighting—I recognized the unmistakable fingerprint of Alvar Aalto.

“This is paradise for me,” I said, touching the surfaces like a museum visitor.

“Aalto designed everything,” Esa explained. “The lights, the furniture, even the smallest details.” He pointed out door handles, wall tiles, and lamps—items easy to overlook but impossible to forget once noticed. In a lecture hall where he once taught, he demonstrated how the tables fold gracefully from the backs of the chairs. Then he guided me to the courtyard.

“I planted that tree in my first year here,” he said quietly. A gentle spark appeared in his eyes—the same spark I once saw in Riitta when she spoke about her love for Helsinki.

“This feels like a pilgrimage,” I told him. “My journey with Finnish design began in Tokyo. A seed was planted, and through you, Riitta, and other Finnish professors who bridged Guangzhou and Helsinki, that seed grew. Now I’m here, embraced by the culture itself.”

Esa smiled. “Let’s get lunch. I think you’ll like this next place.” He drove us to Café Lähde, formerly a mental health hospital now transformed into a cultural center. Through the windows, a beautifully curated garden stretched outside. “There are many cultural events held here. It reminded me of you.”

We talked about LOCK CHUCK’s latest projects—how we embrace diversity and integrate what inspires us.

As I sipped my coffee, a thought surfaced: our connection—from Guangzhou to Helsinki—has grown for so many years. The story is still unfolding. Instead of only imagining Finland, why not bring a piece of Finland to GZ?

[Finns Speak Romance]My reunion with Riitta in Helsinki felt almost cinematic. She had messaged me earlier:“A lot has ha...
19/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]
My reunion with Riitta in Helsinki felt almost cinematic. She had messaged me earlier:“A lot has happened since we last met. I’m now working as a teacher. I teach adult immigrants and I enjoy it immensely. Esa is retired but still busy writing books. I look forward to seeing you.”

When I arrived at her school, we instantly recognized each other among the crowd. She greeted me with her elegant smile, a warm cheek kiss, and both hands wrapped around mine.

“Welcome to Helsinki. Your dream has come true,” she said, brushing the small thunderbolt pin I once gifted her. “I wore this today. I miss you and LOCK CHUCK.” And then, with a spark in her voice: “Let me show you the city—on foot, of course.”

Helsinki had been her home since childhood. She never stopped admiring it. “Our house is 40 minutes away,” she explained. “But I always take the train to the central station and walk. This city changes every day. Even when Esa offers to drive me, I ask him to take a new route.”

We wandered along cobbled streets, sharing our admiration for the architecture.

“Do you see the mosaic number 1907?” she pointed to a facade. “Imagine living there.”

“I want to go inside,” I said.

“You will. There’s a library around the corner.”She led me through a discreet doorway into a quiet sanctuary filled with books.

“We Finns love reading,” she said. “If a book isn’t here, you can request it from any library in Finland. They’ll deliver it.”

Her enthusiasm and hospitality were endless. We walked much of the city before ending at a restaurant that had served traditional Finnish dishes for decades.

“Esa and I used to come here when we were dating,” she said with a nostalgic smile.

If Tony Bennett sings I Left My Heart in San Francisco, I would sing I Left My Heart in Helsinki. That is how deeply I fell for this city.

On our way back to the central station, the windows of historic buildings glowed softly like falling stars in the dark blue sky.

“Isn’t this romantic?” Riitta whispered. “I’ve always dreamed of living in one of these apartments. They are castles to me. And I’m not old—I’m still making my dreams come true.”

No matter our age, dreams remain timeless

[Finns Speak Romance]My fascination with Finnish culture has brought many meaningful friendships into my life, and one o...
19/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]

My fascination with Finnish culture has brought many meaningful friendships into my life, and one of the earliest was with Riitta.

I first met her when she visited Guangzhou to see her husband, Professor Esa, who was a visiting professor at the time. She carried with her a gentle curiosity, choosing to discover the neighbourhoods on foot before anyone could offer directions. One day, that curiosity led her through our door—our coffee made her stay.

By pure coincidence, the beans we happened to brew were from , a brand she had loved during her years in New York. From that moment, Riitta became a regular, visiting almost every day during her short stay in Guangzhou. She was one of the most elegant women I had ever met. Her earrings always caught my eye.

“I bet you have a large collection,” I once said.

“You noticed!” she laughed. “I do. I travel a lot for work, so I collect earrings from every city. These green ones? A flea market in Milan.”

We bonded over our love for wandering and getting lost in one another’s travel stories. Before she returned to Finland, she made one last request:“Chuck, can you help me find a clay pot like the one I saw in that little restaurant? It’s so special.”

She grew to love Guangzhou deeply. Just like the earrings she collected around the world, the clay pot became a small doorway back to this city whenever she needed it.

Months later, she returned for Christmas with a suitcase full of Marimekko gifts.

“I noticed how much you appreciate Finnish design,” she said warmly. “Marimekko is a part of every Finnish household. My mother decorated our home with their curtains.”

Her kindness opened my heart further to Helsinki. Through her, I saw what Finnish style truly means: warm smiles, elegance, and a love for cultural exchange.

[Finns Speak Romance]I began to wonder—was Seinäjoki built in a forest, or was the forest built into Seinäjoki? A short ...
02/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]

I began to wonder—was Seinäjoki built in a forest, or was the forest built into Seinäjoki? A short walk from Teemu’s house and we were already deep among pines and birches. Light filtered through the branches in soft, shifting patterns.

“The ground is so soft,” I whispered. “Like walking on cotton.”

“Forests are part of our lives,” Heidi said. “They heal you. Can you feel it?”

“At the other end of this forest is my new project,” Teemu added. “A kindergarten that just finished construction.”

I followed their steps, distracted by endless trees—“So many Christmas trees! No wonder it’s Santa’s home.”

“There’s one tree here with a perfect cone shape,” Teemu said. “Years ago someone hung ornaments on it at Christmas. No one knows who started it, but every year people add decorations quietly. A little tradition.”

“That sounds magical,” I sighed.

Soon a hint of red appeared between the trees.

“There it is,” Teemu said.

The kindergarten was a bold, warm red wooden house. The battens flared softly at the corners like a princess’s dress. Rainwater pipes shaped like trumpets added playful detail.

“This is too romantic,” I breathed. “You built a fairytale for children—simple, thoughtful, full of imagination. This is exactly what I love about Finnish design.”

[Finns Speak Romance]“I know you have a long wish list,” Teemu said, smiling from the driver seat. “And today we’re head...
02/12/2025

[Finns Speak Romance]

“I know you have a long wish list,” Teemu said, smiling from the driver seat. “And today we’re heading to somewhere special—Kyrö Distillery. I booked us a tasting tour.”

“Really? That can’t be true!” I nearly screamed.

Napue Gin had been my obsession for years. I first read about it in Monocle, sourced bottles through distributors, and fell in love with its character—a fresh Finnish summer in a glass. Professors from Finland once told me a G&T with Napue was the closest thing to “home, bottled.” I once told Teemu that Napue was the scent of the Finland I imagined, long before I ever arrived.

We drove through forests where the sky shrank into a thin ribbon, then suddenly opened into vast fields.

“This is unbelievably flat,” I murmured.

“Very Finnish,” Teemu laughed. “Sometimes it makes me wonder whether the earth is curved at all.”

“The soil is so dark.”

“Rye country,” he nodded. “And that’s the heart of Napue.”

The distillery, renovated from an old dairy farm, welcomed us with the smell of botanicals.

“Here we use birch leaves, seabuckthorn, cranberries, meadowsweet,” our guide explained. “Together they capture the scent of an early misty meadow.”

I closed my eyes, breathing it in, imagining wind rushing across rye fields.

“My imagination of Finland is now real,” I said. “Its winters, its forests, its berries—everything is distilled with love. And that love feels… romantic.”

“You are a very romantic person,” Teemu replied.

“Maybe there’s a Finn living in my heart,” I laughed.

It wasn’t until Teemu walked toward me, backpack in hand, that I finally believed I was truly in Finland. His iconic smi...
02/12/2025

It wasn’t until Teemu walked toward me, backpack in hand, that I finally believed I was truly in Finland. His iconic smile, those crystal-blue eyes catching the sunlight—it all felt surreal. I rushed into his arms.

“Welcome to Finland,” he said.

“I made it. I’ve dreamed of this for so long.”

“I booked our tickets to Seinäjoki—my home city. And my campus is in Tampere, right between Helsinki and Seinäjoki.”

“Finally I get to see your house!” I couldn’t hide my excitement. I had seen countless photos of the home he designed, featured in architecture magazines, but nothing compares to reality.

“Seinäjoki is small. When I was young, I wanted to escape to big cities,” Teemu said as I stared out the window. “But when I grew older, I realized the quiet beauty here. It’s a paradise for architects. See that white tower? A church designed by Alvar Aalto. I grew up surrounded by his work. That planted the seed that led me to architecture.”

He made a detour to show me architectural gems, each introduced with a spark in his voice. Finally, we arrived at his home—a gable-shaped timber house with a dark exterior.

“Welcome to our home!” his wife, Heidi, greeted me warmly.

Inside, the second-floor living room opened up in warm wood and soft white.

“This is my favourite part,” I whispered, looking up at the vaulted ceiling. “So simple, but the craftsmanship is incredible.”

Teemu grinned. “I put the living room upstairs to give my family the best view.”

Only then did I notice the large windows framing the forest—leaves, berries, shifting light. Two cats wandered over curiously.

“Are you hungry? Will you try our salmon soup?” Teemu asked. “It’s a very traditional Finnish dish.” His kids proudly showed me the brownies they baked.

I tried to take everything in—the nature, the warmth, the design, the love.

“This,” I thought, “is the perfect Finnish experience. Quiet, thoughtful, romantic.”

[LOCK CHUCK X KEF！: in between the lines.]⚡️This June, we are so proud to welcome world-renowned artist KEF! for a speci...
14/06/2025

[LOCK CHUCK X KEF！: in between the lines.]⚡️
This June, we are so proud to welcome world-renowned artist KEF! for a special collaboration that brings flow to LOCK CHUCK’s inner space. In addition, we will be hosting a face-to-face artist talk and a hands-on workshop for kids, or young creatives, some might say. 
⚡️
For KEF!, graffiti and street art are a pathway to freedom. It’s a way to express himself without rules. His artwork speaks in flow, balance, and quiet optimism. Though based in Berlin, a city he calls a canvas of creativity, KEF! is a wanderer by nature, travelling across the globe to express his art and to embrace the feeling of being everywhere and nowhere all at once. This trip to Guangzhou, undoubtedly invites a new exploration for KEF! 
⚡️
LOCK CHUCK is dedicated to making and celebrating meaningful connections between people, cultures, and ideas. It’s a space that allows understanding to be sparked and appreciation to be unfolded. 
⚡️
This ethos resonates with KEF!. “Every piece is complete in itself while also being a part of a larger work. With the last breath, the work is complete.” KEF!’s visual rhythms guide the audience together through harmony and positivity. In this special collaboration, KEF! unleashes his creativity, and his iconic lines will take over the entire LOCK CHUCK, creating an unconstrained, negative-free world where anything is possible. 
⚡️
Beyond experiencing KEF!’s art up close, the collaboration offers something personal: a hands-on children’s workshop led by the artist himself. It’s a moment to plant a seed of curiosity. His lines are infinite; so are the paths ahead for the children who just begin to draw their own. 
⚡️
As part of the collaboration, a limited capsule of T-shirts designed by KEF! will be released. We hope that each piece carries a wearable part of the story. 
⚡️
“LOCK CHUCK X KEF！: In Between Lines” reflects his movements of flowing lines - it‘s about what he encounters, what he understands, and all that exists in between.
⚡️
photos by the amazing Olivier

Address

犀牛路6号 101
Guangzhou
510030

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 22:00
Thursday 08:00 - 22:00
Friday 08:00 - 22:00
Saturday 08:00 - 22:00
Sunday 08:00 - 22:00

Telephone

+8618664884020

Website

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