Kolo Shop, a cozy new gift shop in Winnipeg’s East Kildonan area, is creating opportunities for Ukrainian artists and crafters to support themselves.
The idea began as an online group of war-displaced Ukrainians selling their art and handmade products online.
“This is what happened with my wife,” explains Kolo Shop owner Serhii Okhrimenko. “She came here without me, with our son, and it was a hard time. She needed to find a job, go through all the paperwork, and figure out life here. So, she started making handmade items and selling them at markets.”
According to Winnipeg’s 2021 Census data, 90,380 city residents reported Ukrainian heritage. By February 2024, two years after the war began in Ukraine, nearly 29,000 Ukrainians had arrived at Manitoba’s reception centre at Winnipeg airport, and more than 23,600 provincial health cards had been issued.
Serhii and his wife, Yuliia Okhrimenko, had once dreamed of opening a flower shop in Ukraine. When war erupted, Yuliia and their young son fled to Canada. Now reunited, Serhii sees Kolo Shop as a fresh start for that dream and a way to give back.
Yuliia now volunteers at the shop. She walks through the space filled with embroidered clothing, handmade jewelry, traditional Ukrainian dolls, and home decor created by the shop’s 15 vendors. Stopping by ornaments along one of the walls, she shares a story about one of the vendors.
“So, this work is from Maryna Zadavych and she makes ornaments and paints them by herself. So she also came from Ukraine when the war started with her little son. When she decided to come and sell her products, it was a big opportunity for her because she was with her son and needed to earn some money. It’s like an Etsy shop, and it’s a goal to help vendors make some extra money.”
Viktoria Maslovska, another vendor, arrived in Canada with her two children. She says the opening of Kolo Shop has been a game-changer for her small business.
“This store is an amazing place where I can sell my beeswax skincare and lip balms without having to be there in person. It helps me reach more people, gives my products recognition, and supports my small business.”
Serhii says Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community has been incredibly supportive and excited to visit the shop. He hopes even those without Ukrainian heritage will stop by, connect with the vendors, and learn more about them and Ukrainian culture.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
