Locals and tourists have flocked by the thousands to support Ukrainian restaurant Veselka in New York City, and its efforts to donate proceeds to Ukrainian troops, throughout Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine.
Here's what it's like for Desiatnychenko to help run one of the most popular restaurants in New York, during a time of high demand and high stress, while trying to support Ukrainian troops from thousands of miles away:Since 1954, Veselka has been a New York staple. The restaurant was originally opened by a Ukrainian immigrant as a small coffee shop on an East Village street corner.
"The business 10 years ago was slightly different, but was pretty much the same crowd," Desiatnychenko, who has worked in various roles at the restaurant over the past decade, says."People would be coming in from bars, restaurants, clubs [at] four o'clock in the morning, five o'clock in the morning… to grab their last night bite.
Today, as a front-of-house manager, Desiatnychenko's typical responsibilities include overseeing the dining service, takeout and customer experience.