There were angry calls, emails, letters and reviews, telling Marina Liberman and the owners of Moscow on the Hill they were responsible for ending the war. They called on them to change the restaurant’s name, saying they could no longer trust them.
However, over the last month, the support has overwhelmed any hate at the St. Paul restaurant which has been family-owned and operated since 1994. The family immigrated to the United States to escape Russian oppression almost 30 years ago.
Founding husband-and-wife team Marina and Naum, plus their eldest son Eugene, who acts as the restaurant’s general manager, have found the community very supportive as they navigate tough times in their home country.
“We were incredibly busy,” Marina Liberman says. “It was incredible support. We were getting some really nice cards, emails, gift certificate, people just showed up with bunches of flowers. I mean, incredible support.”
Liberman says words of encouragement come daily while hate messages have disappeared almost entirely.
It's been quite the relief as she's seen Russian businesses around the country close and face property damage.
Liberman reiterated her disdain for Russia's invasion and said it's continued to hurt family she has in Russia who are dealing with the impact of the economic sanctions.
“Our hearts are heavy as we watch the Russia-Ukraine Conflict unfold,” says a statement the restaurant put on social media. “Please keep your Ukrainian-American and Russian-American neighbors in mind during this very tough time — many of whom have family back in Russia and Ukraine. And let us all hope for a quick and safe resolution to the situation abroad."