Shorewood Shop Changes Name From 'Russian' To 'European'

SHOREWOOD, WI — A shop in Shorewood formerly named Russian Food & Gifts is now called European Food & Gifts.

A Ukrainian flag sits in the storefront's window and a small note placed near the door reads "Ukraine Needs Your Support!" Blue and yellow flowers can be seen inside the shop from the street.

The store features a variety of products on its Facebook page, such as smoked Polish sausage, Lithuanian bologna, various sweets and a type of vodka from Georgia.

The owner of the shop, Nikolay Rogovsky, was born in Odessa, Ukraine. He previously told Patch "I serve people. Not Ukrainian or Russian, but just people."

The shop's name change was first announced in a Facebook post on Friday.

"I would like to bring to your attention that our store name has changed. From now on it is European Food & Gifts," the store's Facebook post reads. The shop was founded in Shorewood in 2007.

Rogovsky has previously told Patch in February, when Russian forces were first launching a full-scale invasion on Ukraine, that many of his customers were shocked about what was happening.

"Pray for Ukraine," Rogovsky said.

"My heart is broken for my Ukraine, for my people," Rogovksy recently told CBS 58 News

Many in Milwaukee with roots in Ukraine have watched the conflict unfold with fear, shock and concern.

Solomiya Kavyuk, an Oak Creek resident who was born in Ukraine, immigrated to Wisconsin when she was six.

She told Patch on Tuesday she has many family members that remain in the country where she was born. When planes fly overhead to take off and land at Mitchell International Airport, near where Kavyuk lives, thoughts of her family being forced to shelter away from bombs in Ukraine come to mind.

Kavyuk called Putin and his administration's actions "barbaric."

Joseph Spolowicz, the parish council vice president for St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Milwaukee, told Patch in February it was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to see what was happening in Ukraine.

"I want people in America to understand that, you know, everyone's freedom is at jeopardy, democracy … democracy is a precious thing, and it's so easy to lose," Spolowicz said.

Patch reached out to European Food & Gifts for comment on this story.

SEE ALSO:

Wisconsin Ukrainian Community 'Shocked' After Invasion

Helping Ukrainian Loved Ones: Woman Sells Shirts To Raise Funds

Ethan Duran, Patch staff, contributed to this report.