A cool breeze moves through Henningsvær this morning. The sun breaks gently through the clouds as I stand outside a large, mustard-yellow building in the centre of town. A dog darts past me, nose to the ground, before its owner, Mats Alfsen, appears, a wool hat pulled down over his ears and his cheeks pink from the cold. We exchange greetings and step into the warmth of Trevarefabrikken.
Inside, the smell of fresh coffee and newly baked bread greets me. Large windows open the room to the vast sea outside. Guests gather around breakfast tables, some preparing for a hike, others simply enjoying the quiet. The atmosphere is relaxed and full of life. Just as the founders of Trevarefabrikken once imagined.
An Impulse Buy Under the Midnight Sun
It was during a hike in the dramatic Lofoten mountains that the idea took root inside the two of brothers, Mats and Andreas Alfsen, and Andreas and Martin Hjelle. It was two weeks of climbing, swimming, laughter and new friendships. We got hooked on the feeling of complete freedom, Mats recalls.
– We’d forgotten the tent poles, so we slept under the open sky and the midnight sun every night.
At the top of Festvågtind, overlooking the small fishing village of Henningsvær, a local friend (Sondre Justad editor’s note) pointed down to a worn building on the waterfront: an abandoned factory, up for sale. Acting on impulse, they bought it. No business plan. No bank loan. Just a shared feeling that this was something they had to do. – We didn’t know exactly what it would become, but we knew how we wanted it to feel, Mats says, smiling under his hat.
A Dream Built on Fish and Foam Mattresses
Work began the following year. The factory had been empty for a decade and smelled of rot and oil. With little money and a lot of determination, they got to work. Friends were called in, and most of it was done on a voluntary basis, with bonfires, lots of coffee, and old speakers on full blast.
– We had no idea what we were doing, but we had time, energy, and plenty of people willing to help. We built the bar from old roof planks, wired the place ourselves, and stole pallets from outside a supermarket in the neighboring city.. At one point, we lived almost entirely on fish and slept on foam mattresses. We were definitely below the poverty line for a while, he says with a laugh.
In 2016, they received their first public funding from the county and the Cultural Heritage Fund for restoring the roof and façade. The building, a rare mix of wood and concrete, began to come back to life.
Regenerated With Room for More Than One Idea
Trevarefabrikken has grown into something far beyond a café and concert venue. Today, it offers ten hotel rooms—with plans to expand to 22—alongside a bar, events and year-round cultural experiences. Every summer, it all comes together at Trevarefestivalen, a three-day celebration of music, culture and community, featuring major Norwegian artists like Sondre Lerche.
It’s a story of transformation and reinvention. The café and bar were named Hermetikken (meaning “the cannery”), in tribute to the building’s past. In 2017, the hotel side took shape, with four apartments upstairs, decorated in a style that echoes the factory’s history. Later came Trandamperiet, where a wood-fired pizza oven quickly became a favourite.
The pandemic forced them to rethink how the space was used, turning it into a studio, office, and workshop. What seemed at first like a setback turned out to be an opportunity to explore new ideas. By 2022, the guests were back, and Trevarefabrikken continued to grow, with more rooms and a longer season.
– We’re proud, but far from finished, Mats says, leading me up to the third floor, where the next project is taking shape: a new wing for accommodation, work, and gatherings.
Construction is well underway. Old beams and worn tiles from the factory’s early days are being preserved as part of the building’s story. The new rooms are simple and clean, but the atmosphere remains true to what Trevarefabrikken has become known for.
– We never wanted to build a traditional hotel. We wanted to create a place where culture, nature and people come together. A foundation for a good life, he explains.
Part of a Bigger Community
With around ten year-round employees and a wide network of collaborators, Trevarefabrikken has become a central part of Henningsvær all year. In collaboration with local partners, they’ve developed concepts like Trevareyoga, Trevaretur, and Trevarefest.
Henningsvær has always been a small village with a big spirit, but change has been noticeable in recent years.
– People used to see it as a forgotten gem. Now, the local business community is working together to lift it up, says Mats.
Trevarefabrikken has played a key role, not just as an employer and cultural venue, but also as a magnet for young people returning to the village. Many arrive as visitors and decide to stay.
– Just like we did, he adds with a smile.
While Trevarefabrikken has taken on a central role, it’s the wider community that drives the progress.
– We’re all pulling in the same direction. Henningsvær is full of creative projects, committed business owners and people who care. We’re proud to be a part of that, he says.
What is it About Henningsvær That Stays With You?
After saying goodbye to Mats, I have one last coffee in the cosy café, watching the people who fill the room with life and conversation. It’s easy to see why this place matters, not just as a place to stay, but as a gathering point.
Maybe it’s the light. Maybe the mountains. Maybe the scent of saltwater mixed with coffee. But most likely, it’s the people. The open doors, the sense of community, and the big dreams that started on a mountain top under the midnight sun. Trevarefabrikken is living proof of what can happen when vision meets determination.
Today, Henningsvær is more than just a postcard-perfect fishing village. It’s a vibrant community of creative souls, adventurers and warm-hearted people. Whatever the season, Trevarefabrikken invites you to be part of that story, even if just for a weekend. But be warned: many have come for a short visit and ended up staying.
