The storefront of "Surma - The Ukrainian Shop" faces Taras Shevchenko Place on 7^th Street in the East Village. "I remember it when it was called Hall Place," said proprietor Myron Surmach. "Taras Shevchenko, you know, is an important Ukrainian artist and poet. Keeping his name in the public eye, even to passers-by is important to [Ukrainian] culture."

Neighborhood resident and Surma customer Mr. Nykyforuk was disturbed about the news that Taras Shevchenko Place may be removed. He recalled that Ukrainian attorney George Wolynetz was largely responsible for changing the name from Hall Place to Taras Shevchenko Place, and that the effort required to accomplish the deed was considerable. "We need Shevchenko today," said Mr. Nykyforuk, "more than ever before."

Pilar Urteaga of "Pilar's," a jewelry shop on the same block, noted that the corner of 7^th Street and Taras Shevchenko Place is on a bus tour route. "The guides are always pointing to the name," said Pilar. "It is something that the [St. George] church should defend. I do a lot of business with local Ukrainians, I support the youth organizations when they come in, and I hope that they maintain the name of the street."

"I grew up in this neighborhood, right there in the red building overlooking [Taras Shevchenko Place]," says Stefan Zwaryczuk. "It's a cryin' shame if they take it away," he continued. "It used to be called Ale Place and then Hall Place, and was a sports mecca for kids for years."

Stefan, bartender and day manager at the landmark McSorley's Old Ale House on East 7^th Street, is very concerned about the future plans for the building that Cooper Union intends to build directly across the street. "It'll block the sunlight streaming into McSorley's," he said. If you've ever been to McSorley's, it's hard to imagine that sunlight ever entered the bar. But Stefan assures us that artists - famous artists - have often worked indoors, and still do. They depend on the daylight coming in through the storefront's windows to illuminate the canvases. One of those respected artists was John Sloan (1871-1951) from the Ashcan School of Painters.

John Sloan "McSorley's"