The Ukrainian Store in Halifax finds a new home

After more than three decades in its original location, The Ukrainian Store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has moved to a new abode.

The store, a business purveying traditional Ukrainian goods, relocated after its previous proprietors, Vera and Peter Zyla, retired in 2017. The Zylas had owned the store since 1985, when they purchased it from Vera’s parents.

The new owner of The Ukrainian Store is Anna Chomyshyn. Chomyshyn, a Ukrainian-Canadian, has been involved in the local Ukrainian community for many years. She recognized the importance of maintaining a place where the community could purchase traditional items, and was delighted to have the opportunity to carry on the legacy of The Ukrainian Store.

To facilitate the move, Chomyshyn enlisted the aid of a small army of volunteers from the Ukrainian community. The volunteers donated their time and labour to transport the store’s merchandise to its new location.

The Ukrainian Store now occupies a larger space in the city’s north end and features a wider selection of Ukrainian items, including traditional clothing, books, music, and art. In addition to providing the community with access to traditional items, the store also serves as a gathering place for members of the Ukrainian community.

Though times have changed, The Ukrainian Store remains a staple of the Halifax Ukrainian community. Its new proprietor hopes that the store will continue to provide a space for members of the community to come together, share stories, and celebrate their culture.