Despite daily shelling, power outages and constant risks, Kherson continues to live. The city holds on thanks to people who do not stop — entrepreneurs who open their businesses even when it seems almost impossible.
One such example is the shop “Shkarpetka”, which has become not just a retail outlet but a symbol of resilience, humor and love for the native city. They sell clothing and souvenirs with Kherson-themed symbols here, reminding people that life in Kherson goes on.
The shop owner, Tetyana Kucherenko, dreamed of having her own store even before 2022. Before the full-scale invasion she was engaged in online trade, but during the occupation the work stopped completely. After the city was liberated the woman decided to fulfill a long-standing dream — to open her own shop in Kherson.
“After the de-occupation we recovered a bit, I came to my senses and thought: why not open a shop in Kherson? This was a dream of mine and my daughters even before 2022 and we were really planning to open a little shop in the spring. But the war got in the way and then I thought — I’ll open it,” — Tetyana says.
Tetyana recalls that the first shop was small, with a very modest assortment. But even in these difficult times the family decided to take a risk — because they believed.
“It was a really tiny shop, with that kind of assortment, everything very modest, because I didn’t understand what people needed. But I wanted to, because we believed. It seemed to me we had been liberated and the war would end soon. Our people would return soon and everything would be fine,” the woman recalls.
Over time it became clear: Kherson residents needed not just things, but items with meaning. Так з’явилась головна фішка магазину — products with local symbols and humor that is understood by the local residents themselves, who were forced to leave their homes because of the war.
“Our Kherson people have scattered all over the world, they are homesick, they want to go home. And for people it’s like a reminder of home, that we are waiting for them here. The whole team works on the new designs,” — Tetyana says.
An important component of surviving in such conditions has become the cooperation of Kherson businesses. “Shkarpetka” actively collaborates with other local entrepreneurs, in particular with the printing house “Print”. Together they create t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, magnets and even mugs.
This is not just a business partnership, but true mutual support — one gives the idea, another implements it, and together they hold the city’s economic front.
Working in Kherson today is a constant risky quest. Lack of electricity, internet outages, logistical problems. But the greatest pain is the Russian shelling, which brings not only material damage but constant worry for people. Tetyana recalls how, after opening the second shop, shelling destroyed a large batch of goods at one of the post offices.
“The branch burned down, and quite a lot of my merchandise burned there. I had to deal with it quickly, reorder, because people are waiting, we promised something. It varies. The challenges are the shelling, because you worry about people, a certain responsibility for employees, customers. I’m not even talking about property, because you put your soul into all of it,” — Tetyana shares.
Saleswoman Nadiya, who works in the shop every day, admits that every trip to work — is a deliberate choice. But for her staying in Kherson and working right here — is a matter of principle.
“I’m used to this kind of work, to this rhythm, it’s easy for me. I have family in Kherson — and everything is fine,”— says Nadiya.
According to her, the support of customers, who often thank them for their work, helps the most to keep going.
“Many Kherson residents come and cry looking at our shop window, and they say how great you are that you do this, that you work here, you always advise, you always tell. And this, as Tetyana says, always inspires us to work even better, to expand the assortment,” — the woman tells.
For visitors, especially for young people, the opening of every new venue in Kherson — is an event. In a city where every day is full of risk, the opportunity to simply go shopping becomes an act of returning to normality. Clients admit that they appreciate the courage of the entrepreneurs.
“If a person likes humor, then it would be a really cool gift. It’s very risky, but very cool when new places open and there’s the opportunity not only to order online but also to go somewhere. And, generally, when new places appear, everyone goes at once,” — the shop’s visitors share.
For Tetyana Kucherenko herself, “Shkarpetka” has long outgrown the status of a commercial project. It’s a cause that gives meaning to living and working under shelling.
Every new design idea, every mug or tote bag created in collaboration with other local businesses — is a brick in the foundation of Kherson’s resilience.
“I live for this now, really. From morning until late at night here. It’s merchandise, some ideas. That is, this is my life now, because it’s not only about business. You do something needed. Such feedback from people, such emotions. And we send things online, people tell their own stories, who lost what, someone their home, someone a loved one. And you take it all to heart. And such words of gratitude from people, that it’s some support for them, that we remember, that we are waiting, that we remind them of home. It’s important. I think it keeps us going,” — says the owner.
In the harsh realities of Kherson, humor and self-irony become armor. What from the outside may seem like just a witty inscription on an ordinary sock, for a Kherson resident is a memory of home and a symbol of strength.