History
of Ukiestore.com
TASTEFUL AUTHENTIC QUALITY
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Our Mission Statement |
Our Mission is to bring the best of Ukraine to the rest of the world.
We promote pride and participation in the Ukrainian culture and heritage.
In so doing, we enrich the lives of artists, craftspeople, authors & musicians from Ukraine and around the world.
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Contact Information |
Customer Service & Inquiries Line:
(905) 844-6415
(Greater Toronto area and international calls)
(800) 867-5978
(Toll-free - USA and Canada)
or email us...
Do you have a tasteful product that you would like to sell at UkieStore.com? Contact us...
Are you organizing a Ukrainian cultural event or festival and want to advertise it at Ukiestore for free? Contact us...
Ukiestore.com is a new company. Our first commercial web site was launched in September of 2002. This latest version was launched in December 2002. Our motto is "we bring the best of Ukraine to the rest of the world". This means that we will only sell unique, tasteful, authentic and high quality products made in Ukraine and by Ukrainian Diaspora. You will not find kitschy souvenirs on our site - not that we have anything against them - it is just not our business! What you will find is unique art and crafts - from the very traditional to the most modern, plus unique music, books, videos, clothing, linens - and cool products - like official Dynamo Kyiv clothing and Slavutich merchandise. Most of what you find here is unique and exclusive to UkieStore - many of our products are one-of-a-kind originals.
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Live Sales at Festivals and Cultural Events |
You may however, already be familiar with the Ukiestore brand name. This is because we have been supporting and selling our products at Ukrainian and multi-cultural events throughout Canada for the past year - even before the web site went live. A few are pictured here...
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CNE Ukrainian Festival 2001 (Toronto)
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St, Mary's Yarmorok 2001 (GTA)
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Shumka Gala 2001 (Edmonton)
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Dauphin Festival Booth 2002 (Manitoba) Inside the Ukiestore booth (CNUF 2002)
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How we Got Started |
Our President, John Vellinga, is actually not even Ukrainian. He fell in love with a Katherine Koszarny, Ukrainian-Canadian 15 years ago, then fell in love with the culture.
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John Vellinga & US Secretary of State Albright in Kyiv (1999) |
In 1997, he and his wife Katherine moved to Ukraine and started up EBS (Emergex Business Solutions), which has since grown into one of the most reputable and largest management consultancy firms in Ukraine. EBS helps Ukrainian firms make the transition from a centrally planned economy into market-driven companies. The firm also assists many multinational corporations and foreign investors who are working in Ukraine. Mr. Vellinga was deeply involved in the business and expatriate community in Ukraine and was a member of the board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce and was Deputy Chair of the Canadian Business Club in Kyiv. |
In 2002, Mr. Vellinga moved his family back to Canada and started Multiculture Marketing Inc. (MCM), the parent company of UkieStore.com. The mission of the company is to "bring the best of the world to the rest of the world", starting with the best of Ukraine. In addition to Ukiestore.com, MCM also has the Canadian distribution rights for several of the finest Ukrainian products, including Slavutich beer, L'vivske beer, Krimsekt champagnes, Massandra Crimean wines and Slava vodkas and brandies.
Since 2001, Tamara Koszarny, our Purchasing Manager has been scouring Ukraine for the most unique and special art, crafts and products to bring to you here on Ukiestore.com. She has discovered artists and producers all over the country. While our focus has been on Ukraine so far, we also plan to add more creations from the Ukrainian Diaspora. We are also just getting started - what you see on Ukiestore.com today, is just a small fraction of what will be available in the future.
In 2002, MCM moved into a new office and distribution centre in Oakville, Ontario. This is the place from where all of the beautiful products on line find their way to your home!