Are there any Ukrainian shops in Calgary?

The question of whether there are Ukrainian shops in Calgary for newly arrived Ukrainians is one of the most practical and relevant. The answer to this question is unequivocally positive, as the city has a fairly well-developed network of shops offering both traditional Ukrainian products and ready-made national dishes.

Calgary, as one of the largest cities in the province of Alberta, has a long history of Ukrainian presence. The Ukrainian community was formed here in the early 20th century, along with large waves of immigration from Galicia and Bukovina. This tradition led to the creation of a corresponding infrastructure, including specialized grocery stores that still serve both long-established Ukrainian families and new arrivals from Ukraine.

The main Ukrainian store – Kalyna (Kalyna)

The most famous and popular Ukrainian store in Calgary is Kalyna European Food Market, also known as Kalinka. Located at 7400 Macleod Trail SE #8, this store has become a true center of Ukrainian cultural and culinary heritage in the city.

The store's owners, Tetiana and Yevhen, are Ukrainian by origin and maintain ties with their homeland not only through their business activities but also through volunteer work. Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the store has become a volunteer collection point for military aid and a consultation center for newly arrived Ukrainians.

Kalyna's assortment includes a wide range of products from Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, as well as Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Israel. Among the main products, you can find fragrant buckwheat, hard cheeses, chocolate and sweets, natural honey, sunflower oil, and corn sticks. Bila Tserkva buckwheat, Kyiv sushki, Ukrainian cookies, Taras kvass, and Obolon beer are especially popular.

The store is open daily with varying hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The store's contact number is (403) 457-0990.

In-house kitchen and ready-made meals

One of Kalyna's biggest advantages is its licensed professional kitchen, where traditional Ukrainian dishes are prepared. The menu includes a variety of varenyky with potatoes and fried onions, potatoes and cheddar, as well as options with bacon. Varenyky with sauerkraut, mushrooms, and potatoes are also available.

Meat vareniki are available with pork and beef, chicken, turkey, and a mixture of four types of meat. Stuffed cabbage rolls are prepared with various fillings: rice with beef, rice with mushrooms, rice with bacon, and rice with fried onions in oil. Potato pancakes (deruny) are also popular. They are prepared by hand under the guidance of a Ukrainian chef and served with sour cream.

Visitors especially note the quality of the homemade borscht, stuffed cabbage rolls, and baked goods. According to customers, the stuffed cabbage rolls are “as delicious as grandma's,” and the cheesecakes and honey cakes leave even Canadians speechless.

Other Ukrainian establishments in Calgary

In addition to Kalyna, there are several other establishments in the city that offer Ukrainian cuisine and products.

Ukrainian Fine Food is located at 540 Cleveland Crescent SE and has two offices in the city. This establishment specializes in hot dishes and frozen products for home cooking. The company offers free delivery to many locations throughout Alberta from October to May. All frozen products can be stored for up to a year, making them convenient for long-term storage.

Ukrainian Fine Food also has two food trucks to cater corporate lunches, private events, and festivals. The company offers fundraising programs and catering services. On weekends, they operate at the Crossroads Market.

Heritage Bakery & Deli, located at 1912 37th Street SW, features European baked goods and deli items. Although not strictly a Ukrainian store, it specializes in Eastern European cuisine, including homemade stuffed cabbage rolls, garlic sausages, potato pancakes, pancakes, borscht, and ten different types of hand-made varenyky.

European and Slavic stores

Calgary also has stores that are not strictly Ukrainian but offer a wide range of Eastern European products, including Ukrainian ones.

European Market and Deli at 7145 11 St SE offers a large selection of European goods. The store carries a wide range of products from Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Latvia, Germany, Israel, Romania, Croatia, and other countries. The selection is particularly impressive: over 165 types of tea from Eastern Europe, more than 400 varieties of chocolate and candy, and over 60 types of imported specialty cakes.

The store has a large dairy section with 20% sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, imported cheese, Eastern European bread, local farm milk, and cream. In summer and spring, over 80% of the products are locally produced, supporting local farmers in Alberta and British Columbia.

Calgary Russian Store, located at 523 Woodpark Blvd SW, also offers a wide range of Slavic products. Slavic Deli Store is located at Unit 30, 17107 James McKevitt Rd SW and specializes in European goods and delicacies.

Community response to events in Ukraine

It is interesting to note how the war in Ukraine has affected Ukrainian stores in Calgary. According to the owners of Kalyna, since February 24, 2022, the number of shoppers on weekdays has increased eightfold, and sales have increased tenfold compared to normal. Before the war, the store was visited by about 25 people on weekdays and perhaps 50 on weekends. Now, more than 200 people come every day, and they buy significantly more.

Vareniki, stuffed cabbage rolls, borscht, fried meat pies, honey and poppy seed cakes, and smoked sausages quickly disappeared from the shelves. Ukrainian flags were completely sold out, and store employees were looking for volunteers to buy yellow and blue fabric to sew new ones. The store team even bought up all the yellow and blue fabric in five Fabricland stores in the city.

Practical tips for shoppers

When visiting Ukrainian stores in Calgary, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. Prices for Ukrainian and Eastern European products are usually higher than their local Canadian counterparts, but this is justified by the cost of import and nostalgia for familiar flavors. For example, buckwheat from Bila Tserkva costs about $13.50, which is significantly more expensive than Canadian equivalents, but for many Ukrainians, this particular taste is irreplaceable.

The stores accept credit cards, offer free Wi-Fi, and have convenient parking. Most of the staff speak Ukrainian, which makes communication easier for newcomers. This is especially true at Kalyna, where customers are served in Ukrainian.

It is also worth noting that ready-made meals in these stores can be purchased for immediate consumption or frozen for home cooking. This is especially convenient for busy people who want to keep the traditional taste of Ukrainian cuisine in their diet.

Network expansion and future prospects

The Ukrainian community in Calgary continues to grow, especially with the arrival of new refugees and immigrants from Ukraine. This creates demand for the expansion of the network of Ukrainian stores and services. Some entrepreneurs are already considering opening additional locations or expanding the range of existing stores.

It is also important to note the role of these stores not only as commercial enterprises, but also as centers of cultural identity and social support. They are becoming places for meeting, exchanging information, and mutual assistance within the Ukrainian community in Calgary.

Thus, the question of whether there are Ukrainian stores in Calgary can be answered with confidence: yes, such stores not only exist but are also actively developing, offering a wide range of both traditional Ukrainian products and ready-made meals. They play an important role in preserving cultural heritage and supporting the Ukrainian community in one of the largest cities in the Canadian prairies.