Photo from 2022 by Stacie Joy
Updated 5/31: Streecha reopens today under new management. In this post, Rev. Father Johan Lubiv, the administrator of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church for the past four years, discusses what has transpired here recently.
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The operators of the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen on Seventh Street announced this afternoon that the basement cafe is now permanently closed.
The no-frills space between Second Avenue and Cooper Square has been generating income for the St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church since the 1970s. It offered inexpensive lunch specials and various Ukrainian potato dumplings (varenyky).
Volunteers, primarily parishioners from St. George's, usually helped prep Streecha's offerings on Friday.
Here's part of the closing announcement:
We are incredibly grateful for your unwavering love and support over the years. It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that we've left our current location permanently.The property owner decided to go in a different direction. Our team is searching for a new partner and location to keep a traditional Ukrainian restaurant alive.We welcome input from our Streecha community.Thank you for the wonderful memories. We hope to see you all again one day.
This has always been one of our favorite places in the neighborhood to visit. Hopefully, they can secure a new home soon.
Public records list Order of St Basil the Great, Inc. as the property owner.
Previously on EV Grieve:
14 comments:
Putin wins
So much love for this place! I hope they find a new home soon.
This is sad news. They make the best homemade pierogi and all of their food is so delicious! I hope they find someone to partner with them soon for a new space 🤞
Heartbreaking. I was so looking forward to eating there tomorrow. I hope their new spot is around the corner from my place too.
blasphemy...
and sad
Now this is terrible news. I wish we would have known about this ahead of time. Hopefully they can find a new place to set up shop quickly.
Terrible news!
Amazing how these property owners always have opportunities to be beloved members of the community and always choose the path of selfishness.
Never question the wisdom of St. Basil the Great!
The individual referred to as the Administrator at St. George Church exhibits narcissistic tendencies, seeking power and control without regard for others. It is disappointing to witness such behavior from the administrator and the leadership of the Order of St. Basil the Great. The actions of this Church Administrator have had a detrimental impact on St. George Church, with seemingly little concern from the hierarchy.
I just ate there Saturday and enjoyed it as usual - the food and the company. Closing it may be a sin. A quick find for a new location will be salvation!
We will all miss our Dima who did such a great job at Streecha! He was especially kind and giving to Saint George Academy with great meals for events at cost.
However, Streecha has been a church for gathering place for over 40 years. Father Johan, the pastor of Saint George, has informed me that it will reopen next weekend with another chef. For his reasons regarding his decision, you would need to check with him.
Dima was at the location for 8 years and we wish him well. I know Dima and know that he will resurface stronger than ever.
Please be kind to one another and to the church. It is important for the Ukrainian community to be united. Sometimes change can lead to bigger and better things.
I cannot be kind to the new Administrator/priest of the Church who is tearing the place apart from within. A Church that my grandparents, parents and I built. Yes, it is important for NOT just the Ukrainian community but the entire community to unite; something this person should also see. Take a pulse check first as MANY decisions by this person has been poorly made.
Treating each other with kindness is a two-way street, but unfortunately, we did NOT receive kindness, etc. from the Church Administrator/Priest!
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