Phil Your Glass: Whitey's Booze N' Burgers creates vodka; profits to help Ukrainian kids

When Russian bombs started hitting hospitals, schools and orphanages, Jon Bigadza knew he had to do more.

Since 1953, when his father, Harry R. "Whitey" Bigadza, moved the now-famous Booze N' Burgers joint to Richfield, the iconic establishment has donated a cut of its gross sales to the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Orphanage Fund, which helps disabled children.

Back in the 1950s, Ukraine was behind the Iron Curtain, and getting relief aid into the area was tricky. Members of the church used to sew cash inside donated clothing shipped to the orphanage. When Russian officials caught on, money was stuffed into hollowed-out Ivory soap bars to ensure it got to where it was needed.

More: Phil Your Glass: Vintage memories: Joe Piscazzi has sweet time with 1920s wine press

Bigadza, who is Ukrainian, cued up a short video of the Parma church’s last missionary trip to the Ukrainian orphanage, pointing out a swing set and colorful padded flooring bought with the donated money. In less than a minute, Bigadza left the room.

“I can’t watch this to the end,” said Bigadza. “It’s too heartbreaking.”

Since 2007, Bigadza has wanted to make a vodka labeled after his establishment. Various permits and other hiccups have put the project on the back burner until recently. The plan was to make a vodka from Ukrainian potatoes and sell it.

As things worsened in his native land, Bigadza has ramped up the project and decided to donate profits from the vodka sales to the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Orphanage Fund in addition to a percentage of the establishment's gross sales.

The war in Ukraine has eliminated Bigadza’s plan to use potatoes from Ukraine. However, his advisers on the project thought it would be a good idea to get the potatoes from Poland, since Poland was helping Ukraine in its time of need.

“I thought it was a wonderful idea,” he said.

More: Phil Your Glass: Pine Ridge sparkling Chenin Blanc and Viognier is deliciously affordable

More: Phil Your Glass: Switch it up with a pint of La Nueva from the Pulpo Beer Co.

The rest of the project is centered around Ohio as much as possible. The vodka is distilled in Youngstown using potato mash from Poland and potatoes from Mantua, the potato capital of Ohio, and distilled using purified water from the Great Lakes.

“We tried to do everything as local as we could,” said Bigadza, who is still trying to get bottles from Libbey Glass in Toledo when they become available.

The vodka is 80 proof made from 100% potatoes. They refract it 13 times.

“We wanted ours to be crystal, Bigadza said.

More: Phil Your Glass: Zinfandel is perfect partner for grilling and chilling

Whitey’s Booze N' Burgers will sell $6 shots: “We pour a very heavy shot.”

Until an alcohol broker is chosen, 1-liter bottles of the vodka can be purchased only at Corkscrew Johnny’s in Richfield for $29.17.

Check out the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Facebook page for other ways to help the people in Ukraine.

More: The BeaconJournal.com app is packed with great features. Here are 5 you need to know about

Write to Phil Masturzo at philyourglass@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Whitey's Booze N' Burgers comes out with vodka; profits to aid Ukraine