Fishers, Buehler's, Acme and other liquor agencies pull Russian-made vodka
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Several Stark County stores have removed all Russian-produced vodka from their shelves following a state order.
Fishers Foods, Buehler's Fresh Foods, Giant Eagle and Acme Fresh Market confirmed the move.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered over the weekend the Ohio Department of Commerce to cease the purchase and sale of Russian Standard vodka — the only vodka sold in Ohio directly from Russia — in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Local reaction: "My worst fear is Ukraine will be part of Russia again."
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The vodka is sold under the brand names Green Mark and Russian Standard.
All of Ohio's 487 liquor agencies, including those at grocery stores, were impacted by DeWine's order. For example, Rocky's Wine & Beverages in Canton Township and Gervasi Vineyard in Canton also pulled this Russian vodka.
"The state contacted us and told us to pull any Russian high-proof vodka, and that was done Saturday," said Kathy Bailey, spokeswoman for Buehler's, which is headquartered in Wooster and has 13 locations, including two in Stark County.
Ron James, director of beer, wine and liquor for Buehler's, said low-proof vodkas with "names that sound Russian" remain on the shelves because none of them are made in Russia. "They are actually made in France or the U.S."
Buehler's and Fishers officials do not believe the state order will hurt their business.
"There are plenty of other vodkas available," said Jeffrey Fisher, president of Fishers Foods with three locations.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com
Follow on Twitter @bduerREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Gov. Mike DeWine stops sale of Russian vodka, liquor agencies comply
