After 5: The Euro Market: Bulgarian couple brings international flair to Ozarks' kitchens

Imagine then, the plight of those who live in the Springfield area but originate from Europe and long to be able to purchase the types of food items they remember from back home. Yes, some local grocers offer an “international” section, but many of their products are European in name only.

Fortunately, local residents Krasi and Veronica Lukanov decided to make their dream a reality and opened the Fine European Market on Aug. 10 at 3630 S. Campbell Ave., in Kickapoo Corners. There, in a very modestly adorned retail pad, the Bulgaria natives are bringing international foods, drinks and sundries to the Ozarks.

Inside the market, you’ll find candy and snack foods to the left and bath and beauty products to the right. In between, the shelves are filling as the store continues to increase its stocked items that can be used to cook, bake, savor and drink from our borders and beyond.

Impressive indeed are the numbers of nations represented on “shelf talkers,” or product description tags. I counted products from at least 22 countries while perusing the shelves on a recent visit.

Many products are organic, including a good number of food and drink items, such as a very nice organic probiotic milk. In the baking section, organic pastry flour, oat flour, buckwheat, spelt and cornmeal adorn the shelves.

Naturally, there are pastas from Italy; olive oils from Italy, Greece and Spain; and English blue cheese. What’s not so expected is that most of these products are actually imported from these locales, not just American-made products with ethnic-sounding brand names.

In the back of the store – where everyone knows you have to go to find the best of the merchandise – are the deli counter and selections of international beers and wines. Make no mistake – the Lukanovs have done their homework and offer a varied selection at prices that represent true values.

The meat section showcases pancetta, prosciutto and other hams, salamis and specialty items such as mousse of duck foie gras. Sardinian goat cheese, Rosenburg noble blue and German Swiss are among the many cheeses on display.

As a wine reviewer, I naturally gravitate toward the reds and whites, which span at least 12 countries in five continents. Obviously, that makes it far more than just a “European” selection.

Almost all of the wines are less than $20 and many carry prices under $15. Don’t think cheap, generic wine though. This is a good selection with something for every palate. Even California’s Napa Valley here in the good old USA is represented.

Likewise, the beer and spirits are diverse and intriguing. While some are available in other local stores, beers from France and Poland caught my eye, as did a sweet wine from Romania, called Nurfatlar, and liqueurs from around the globe.

Taste of Europe

Fine European Market

Address: 3630 S. Campbell Ave.

Phone: (417) 882-4433

Hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday

Grand opening: A celebration with wine and cheese tasting is scheduled Oct. 3.

A Refined Palate

Here is a sampling of the products representing at least 22 countries:

Finlandia Turunmaa Havarti (Finnish cheese)

Murfatlar Muscat Ottonel (sweet Romanian wine)

Attentaler Pinot Noir (German wine)

Romanoff (black whitefish caviar)

Rosenborg (Danish blue cheese)

La Roche Bleu Crémeux (French cheese)

Barkan Chardonnay (Israeli wine)

Okocim (Polish pilsner)

Wychwood Hobgoblin (English ale)