![Food from Streecha](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretnyc.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/05143109/Streecha-1024x683.jpg)
East Village staple, Streecha, serving up Ukrainian classics on 7th Street took to Instagram last month to announce their permanent closure. According to the post, “[The priest (owner) is] planning to do some renovation to that location and then use it as a church kitchen with his people in charge…[the Streecha] team is searching for a new partner and location to keep a traditional Ukrainian restaurant alive.”
The restaurant has been operating in the same location attached to St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church for around half a century. It’s famously known for it’s no fluff atmosphere and nostalgic dishes using the help of volunteers to prepare their delicious pierogis.
And though everyone was disheartened to hear the news about the closure, it turns out it will just be chef Dima Kovalenko leaving, not the restaurant itself, according to EV Grieve. Apparently, Streecha will still be operational in the same space, just helmed by a new team of parish volunteers.
EV Grieve verified with the church’s Rev. Father Johan Lubiv that the name of Streecha, which means “people’s meeting place,” belongs to the church. And though Chef Kovalenko, who had worked at Streecha for the last nine years, will be leaving, the restaurant will remain. However, Chef Kovalenko plans to open a pop-up of his own serving similar dishes.
Moreover, additional changes can be expected for Streecha diners with an updated interior, including new paint, lights and seating arrangements. The renovations took three days and 20 volunteers to accomplish, reports EV Grieve.
Operating hours will be from Friday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm. To clear any future confusion, customers can follow the restaurant’s new Instagram for the latest updates here.