Русской «Лакомке» – 20 лет!

Russian Store Lacomka is 20 years old!

Probably, in order to grasp what it means to run a Russian store in immigration, you need to be in the shoes of its owners. But even at a glance, it is clear that this is not an easy business to operate. Therefore, it is doubly pleasant to write about such an event as the anniversary. Russian Bakery & Deli Lacomka, one of the first Russian stores in Orlando, and the only Russian bakery in the city, marks its 20th anniversary! Our magazine cordially congratulates the owners of Lacomka, the Vyazhevich family, who have been successfully running this business for two decades! We wish Lacomka continued success, prosperity and growth in the number of grateful customers!

“The work of my soul”

Lyubov and Oleg Vyazhevich moved to the United States 30 years ago. For the first ten years, the family lived in Portland, Oregon. It was there that they opened their first store and home bakery. They continued this business in Florida.

“When we arrived in Orlando, at first I didn’t think of opening a store or a pastry shop,” recalls Lyubov Vyazhevich, “Though, I’m a chef by profession.”

Here she worked within her specialty, took different classes, studied the confectionery skills of local cuisine. “But still, we opted out for Russian desserts. Even Americans like them better. After all, they are not overly sweet, and made from natural products. ”

So, Lyubov began to take in orders to bake cakes. At the same time, the couple Vyazhevich was one of the first in Orlando to open a small store with Russian products. In 20 years, Lacomka has expanded its commercial area, attached cafeteria with its own kitchen and gastronomic department, and the son of Lyubov and Oleg, Sergey, joined the family business.

“First, we worked together with Oleg, we did everything ourselves, we baked everything ourselves. Then the team has formed. But I did not set out to expand my business. It’s enough for me that I love my job. It’s just a work of my soul,”– says Lyubov.

Lacomka now has a grocery department with a wide range of Russian goods, a gastronomic shop with fresh cheeses, sausages, salads and pastries, a cafeteria with Russian cuisine, as well as a department of national souvenirs and gifts.

Not only Russian-speaking locals know about the famous Russian store. According to the owners of Lacomka, a good half of current customers are representatives of different nations of the world.

“A lot of Americans come here to buy Shuba salad and borscht. Although many Russians said that foreigners would never even touch our cuisine. It turned out that many people actually wanted to try,”– says Lyubov Vyazhevich.

The words of the owner are confirmed by the publisher of Florida & Us magazine, Iryna Nasekailo: “An American, our friend Rick, brought us to Lacomka for the first time. It happened 11 years ago, we just arrived in Orlando, and weren’t familiar with the city. And Rick says: there is a Russian store here, I always buy my herring salad there.”

Recipes of Russian dishes from Lacomka were shown in coverages of American television channels and print media in Florida. In addition, Lacomka for 5 consecutive years has won grants from the University of Central Florida, and treats American students with Russian cuisine as a part of their Russian cultural experience.

Once upon and 20 years later

On January 18, Lacomka celebrated its 20th anniversary. The anniversary was held in the format of a large tea party with huge holiday cakes of Lacomka’s own production. By the way, these are the novelties that will appear in the assortment of confectionery products this year.

Many residents of Winter Park, Orlando, and other nearby cities came to congratulate Lacomka on their birthday. One customer, having seen the announcement of the holiday, even came from Daytona! All guests thanked their favorite cafe shop and its management for many years of dedicated work.

“18 years ago, when I first came to America, Lyuba and Oleg were the first Russian-speaking people I met. Their store is very friendly, so are the owners. Celebrating the 20th anniversary with them today, I understand that they are on the right track,”– said regular customer Lyudmila Onyski.

Another customer, Marina Nabokova, added: “Here you can always find your favorite products and find new ones. The atmosphere of the store is very pleasant, and thank you for being there”.

“I have been going to this store for 10 years. I like that they have their own kitchen, that they bake, and cook everything themselves. It’s impossible to find something like that elsewhere”, – said Vladimir Paul.

In turn, the Vyazhevich family thanked the guests for the holiday: “For us, many customers have become friends. Over all these years, the children of some families have grown in front of our eyes. Many customers have become like family members. Thanks to everyone who has been with us throughout all these years. ”