Taras Shevchenko Place in New York: how 'little Ukraine' lives in downtown Manhattan

In New York, there is a block of shops, restaurants and cafes with traditional Ukrainian cuisine. One of the shops is the embodiment of the dream of a Ukrainian who managed to overtake five American competitors. This is stated in the plot. TSN.

"Little Ukraine" in the middle New York

The street, named after one of the greatest Ukrainian poets Taras Shevchenko, was located just in the center of Manhattan - it connects the 6 and 7 streets between Second and Third Avenues in East Village.

This street was originally known as Hall Street, and then as Hall Place. So it was named after Charles Henry Hall, a landowner from Harlem, who sold this land to the city 23 December 1828 year.

In 1978, the city council renamed the street, naming it in honor of the Ukrainian poet.

Today, in the middle of New York, there is a real Ukrainian quarter of restaurants and cafes with traditional national cuisine. It was founded by the first domestic emigrants who moved to the United States during the revolution or immediately after the Second World War.

“The small and car-laden Taras Shevchenko Square is located right in downtown Manhattan between Second Street and 10 Avenue. This place in New York is called little Ukraine - here is our school, church and dozens of shops, ”the story says.

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So, pensioner Stefa Cherepanin, who arrived in the states in 1951 as a little girl, founded her own store here. In it, she sells to locals embroidered shirts, Easter eggs and ribbons, as well as Ukrainian flags - the most popular product.

Also on this street is the Ukrainian sports club. There is also an institution serving dumplings and borscht.

A dream that has come true

Ukrainian Julian Bachinsky in American trade for 52 of the year. He started as a junior cook, but he had a dream - to establish his own shop. In 1970, his dream came true. By the way, he managed to oust five American competitors from the business on the way to his goal, TSN noted.

“They talked about me that an unfinished student is looking for happiness in the bookmaking business,” the man laughs. “But with God's help, everything was decided - no one could stand it, but I stayed.”

Now only Ukrainians work in the institution.

“While the ham and our signature garlic sausage are being smoked, we are preparing a blood pot. We call this “gut”. We stuff such small intestines with buckwheat porridge with meat, ”said the Ukrainian cook.

New Yorkers like to try Ukrainian dishes, but not all that are offered in the shop. So, American Derel buys pork and turkey from Ukrainians three times a week for 30 years. But the blood and fat never tried.

“All this is difficult for me. Believe it or not, but I'm on a diet right now, ”the American smiles.

The site The store notes that the institution’s mission was to deliver traditional Ukrainian food to the bustling streets of New York.

“We offer fresh sausages, meat cuts of the highest grade, juicy smoked ham and the best Eastern European products in the city,” the shop website stated.

However, the main thing the institution specializes in is smoked sausage (kielbasa). They cook it every day - they smoke it right here in the kitchen.

“We put our soul into our work. This passion stems from Bachinsky’s story of hard work, perseverance and love, ”the cook says.