When Varvara Laird came to America from her native Russia three years ago to marry her American husband, she didn't realize what the American dream really was. She went to Salt Lake and checked out the Russian and European Foods and thought, "I can do this" and that is how her dream began. Her desire is, to bring a little bit of Russia to her neighbors in America. If you come to our store, you are not "just" a customer, you are a friend and will be treated like one. She has been in business since September 1, 2006.

Varvara grew up in -Novokulbyshevsk- city near Samaria, on the Volga. For 16 years, she was an - economist in financial department. Varvara can order specialty Russian food not currently on her shelves, such as Blintzes. Varvara said that even if you don't know the name of a Russian food you want, if you describe it she can usually figure out what you want. She can also order folk art, like the nesting dolls known as matrushkas and blue and white stoneware called gzhel. Varvara hopes to one day expand her food store into a restaurant or Cafe. Although she has never run a business before, she said the work has been easy due to her accounting experience.

 Last year, Varvara Laird opened Ida- Russkie, meaning[Idaho Russians] Russian and European grocery with everything from salted fish, Sausages,or Kielbasa and cheeses to authentic Russian candy and cookies.

She places her orders through a New York supplier who receives items from Russian distributers. This is how we can offer the finest Russian goods at the lowest possible prices.