Good selection of quality merchandise. Some of the cloths are made in Estonia. A partner card costs 5 euros, but your get a 5 percent discount on everything, including food. Points build up for additional savings. Quiet service, but helpful if asked.

Tartu Kaubamaja is a shopping center and there are more shops under the same roof than only Kaubamaja.The department store in Tallinn is more versatile, here you don't find everything that you have used to find in Tallinn Kaubamaja. Nevertheless, central location and easy to pop in.

This 21st century construction - post-dating the Plasku tower but pre-dating Tasku - caused a public outcry for (a) obliterating the view from Vanemuine Theatre of the river and (b) for being an eye-sore not in keeping with the architectural style of the city.
Refuting the second charge, the architect claimed the public simply did not understand the design of the building.
Post-Kaubamaja building designs have taken Tartu away from a classicist theme towards the ultra-modern (see the Tigutorn), rather vindicating Kaubamaja's architect.

Kaubamaja is essentially a functional 6 storey cube - 2 undergound storeys as carparking, 4 ground-level and higher for shopping. The 'Kaubamaja' brand department store that occupies the upper 3 floors at the northern (river side) end of the cube is an upmarket brand. In keeping with this 'upmarket' style the shops in the mall are all generally upmarket.
The central atrium is taken up by lifts and escalators.
On the upper floor overlooking Vanemuine Theatre is combination 'self-service buffet' and waiter style restaurant with an open air balcony providing views of the adjoining park.