L to R: Tony, Marie, daughters Olga Staats, Johanna Luciow, Luba Perchyshyn (seated on floor)

After the children were grown and married, Marie was not content to sit back and watch life pass. She and her daughter Luba Perchyshyn decided to start a Ukrainian Gift Shop. In preparation Marie and Luba embroidered handkerchiefs and blouses, purchased Ukrainian books, tapestries and ceramics from the few existing shops in the U.S. In November of 1947 they opened their shop in the Procai living room. On grand opening day Marie and Luba sold two handkerchiefs for a grand total of $1.50. After the hesitant start the shop was moved to a store near the University of Minnesota. Here, Luba put together her first Easter egg decorating kit -- a simple collection of tools, dyes and wax in a paper bag for $1.00.

As the business grew Marie and Luba continued to develop their store, which began to include gifts from many lands. In 1958 another of Marie's daughters, Johanna Luciow, joined in to help with the ever-growing gift shop and she added her talents in the beautiful Pysanky art. Luba's Easter Egg Decorating Kits were further refined and today are sold internationally. Seven detailed books about decorating Pysanky, an embroidery book, two coloring books, puzzles, posters and Easter egg postcards have been published by the Ukrainian Gift Shop Inc.

The April 1972 issue of National Geographic did an eight page pictorial entitled "Easter Greetings from the Ukrainians." This article featured the Ukrainian Gift Shop along with the Ukrainian community of Minneapolis and the beautiful art of Pysanky. In 1975 a film about Ukrainian Easter Eggs "Pysanky" by Slavko Nowytski featured Luba's artistry in egg decorating. This film won the International Gold Eagle Award for excellence in 1978 and is now available on video from our online store.

Marie continued to work six days a week in the gift shop and decorated Pysanky until 1987, when she retired at the age of 90. Marie passed away peacefully in 1993. In March of 1998, Johanna Luciow passed away. Her artistry and presence are still greatly missed.

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