Kiev's move means store has room to grow

Business offers translation, tastes and touch of Europe

It doesn't seem like quite a big leap to go from one side of Alder to the other.

But in moving from 217 E. Broadway Ave., to its new location, 210 W. Broadway Ave., it appears the world has opened up for Kiev/International Specialties.

"We outgrew that little place; we needed to expand," said manager Svetlana Novitskaia. "We are really an international store now. We have some products from Argentina, because we have a group of Argentineans here, and they told us what they would like to have. And I am a big fan of Asian food, so we have this growing Asian corner for Chinese and Japanese people who live here."

Owner Vladimir Gribov said that he also hopes to add more for the German population, including Christian CDs, and plans to add European clothing.

The business, which opened in its old location in June 2003, had its grand opening in the new spot July 2, Novitskaia said.

"We have a growing Russian and Ukrainian, Slavic-speaking population, and more other people," she said. "We're going to have something for Spanish speaking people; they're interested in our spices. So it's interesting."

The move has made for more customers, Novitskaia said, and allows for two cash registers, a Western Union and a money order machine, as well as expanded produce and meats, cheese and fish sections.

Novitskaia said she is a certified translator and interpreter.

"So in my spare time, I do some translation," she said. "People come and they need some help to go somewhere or ask questions, then I can help."

Novitskaia said that it is Gribov's dream to ultimately have a European center of sorts, turning the building into a cafe, a clothing store and then Kiev would be the grocery store.

"That's what he is dreaming about," she said.

Kiev has three employees, and may add another when one of the employees goes back to school. Gribov wants Novitskaia to be at the store for six days, so another employee would be necessary.

Novitskaia said that employees like the new place, but aren't necessarily fans of the parking outside the new location.

"They say that parallel parking is not really what they would love to do, but probably they need to be patient for another year or two," she said.

The store offers orders on call, where Novitskaia will pack customers' groceries and all they have to do is pick them up and pay.

For senior citizens, Kiev offers free delivery to anyone living within ten miles of the store, and a charge for any living outside that area.

Kiev can be reached at 764-1602.