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- A Ukrainian restaurant owner in New York said some staff were considering going to Ukraine to fight.
- Boss of Veselka, Jason Birchard, who has Ukrainian roots has also thought about joining the war.
- Sales have increased by up to 75%, due to customer support since the war began, he told Insider.
The owner of a Ukrainian restaurant in New York said some of his employees were thinking about leaving the US to fight for their country.
Out of 80 of Veselka’s restaurant staff, up to 40 are Ukrainian or are of Eastern European descent, owner Jason Birchard told Insider in an interview.
The day that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stopped male citizens aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country as part of a military mobilization order.
Even the young staff at Veselka were willing to travel to the country and fight against Russia, Birchard said.
“I have a busboy who’s 17 and he’s planning on going. He’s half Ukrainian-American,” Birchard said. He added that he’s trying to be supportive of his staff’s wants and needs during this time. “It’s dire, a true tragedy.”
Birchard, who has Ukrainian heritage, said even he has considered flying over to Ukraine to join the war.
“It’s crossed my mind but I have a family here, I’ve got a business to run. I’m going to do my best from afar and gather support, money, and aid,” he said.
Restaurant sales shot up 75%
With the “overwhelming” support from customers and long lines outside Veselka over the past two weeks, Birchard said he’s tried to hire more workers as he’s been working extra hours — sometimes double shifts — to keep up with demand.
Sales have soared by between 50% and 75%, and tens of thousands more customers have visited Veselka since the Ukraine war began, he said.
More people are eating in the restaurant, ordering food for their offices and gatherings at home, Birchard said. “I just wish it was under different circumstances,” he added.
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