At this speciality grocery store in Brighton Beach, products from Ukraine and Russia are selling quick.

Store owner Greg Sugarman says especially buckwheat, a common grain used in many dishes in both cuisines.

“I just took two pallets and that is all I have left, except what is on the shelf,” he explained while walking through his stock room. Sugarman says he's not sure how long his current supplies will last him. “I don’t know, if it is gonna go they way that it has, it shouldn’t last more than a week or two.”

Sugarman says his customers are stocking up on staples, worried they soon won’t be able to find these products as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.

“Nobody is certain, nobody knows how long stuff is going to take to arrive if it will arrive because they say they might be turned back because of the sanctions," he said.

On Monday, the economic squeeze on Russia got tighter. The U.S. Treasury Department in effect froze all assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in the United States. And Switzerland joined many Western nations and adopted sanctions, including asset freezes, targeting Russians. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Sunday, banning the state from doing business with or investing in Russia.

Sugarman, who is Russian, says he is not feeling a direct impact of the sanctions just yet.

"In most cases they are after the oligarchs, the people who are ruling the world back in Russia," he said. "We are just a little drop in the ocean. Transporting the goods from overseas that is the major problem.”

Taste of Russia, a grocery down the block, has the same problem. Owner Bobby Rakhman says it has been a tough week in the community. His employees, many whom are from Ukraine, wear blue and yellow ribbons to show their solidarity.

“Everyone is really stressed out and tense. They are saying they can’t reach their loved ones in the Ukraine,” said Rakman.

And while the businesses here struggle to find products at reasonable prices with timely deliveries, they know how important it is to have a taste of home, when so many are feeling helpless and home sick.

“Let’s hope they will end as soon as possible. We want peace, we want peace for everybody,” said Sugarman.