Our Story

George Hadjipopov escaped to the United States from Bulgaria at the adventurous age of 17, eventually settling in the fishing village of Montauk, New York. Considered an 'enemy of the State' for leaving his then Communist ruled homeland, he was unable to return home for even a visit under penalty of death. When the Soviet Union fell, he was finally re-united with his family after three long decades.

A natural entrepreneur with a genuine desire to assist his countrymen in their goal to achieve economic development George created East End Imports. The company imported aromatic raw materials, in particular the precious world-renowned Bulgarian Damask Rose Oil. One year later he introduced BULGAR a natural skin-care line based on the essences of lavender and roses, manufactured exclusively for him by the award-winning Bulgarska Rosa Distillery.

In 1997, Donna Woldin, in search of a source for Bulgarian rosewater saw his advertisement in a resource book while on train headed to Montauk for a weekend of sun and fresh sea air. She phoned the number for BULGAR.

Fifteen years later, in the name of the rose, they remain together.

In January of 2000, George introduced Donna to his family in the town of Bansko high in the Pirin mountains. There, she was touched by the extraordinary hospitality, kindness and joy of the people in spite of the obvious financial crisis they were in. She fell in love with the handwork of the artisans, in particular the traditional hand-painted pottery and hand-spun weavings.

During the plane-ride home, she speculated on a way to support the local crafts. George, ever the fellow to make magic and the ability to materialize on a wish and a prayer, turned that thought into a 40 foot long container filled with their 'treasures from a hidden culture.' A quickly constructed two-car garage was used to sell the ceramics locally. Solely by word of mouth, the garage soon emptied. Needless to say a 3,200 sf warehouse was immediately found.

The debut of BULGAR to the gift industry was at the August 2001 International Gift Show in New York City. Buyers from a broad range of venues filled the booth continually, further securing the Hadjipopov's commitment to continue. This enthusiastic response to BULGAR's treasures has continued; BULGAR POTTERY now graces the shelves of art galleries, lifestyle stores, museums and wineries.

In 2002 the Hadjipopovs purchased DETSKI SVYAT/CHILD'S WORLD, a wooden toy factory (financing the purchase by selling their fishing boat 'The Captain George' featured in the photo above). Drawing on the renowned skills of the local woodworkers, a line of complementary wooden items has been added to the tabletop collection.

BULGAR further expanded their product-line to textiles which is a collection of both woven and hand-kint woolen throws, pillows, bedspreads, rugs and clothing. Made from locally sourced wool, the weavings are made solely from the naturally colored yarns and contain no toxic cleaning solvents or dyes.

Bulgaria has a rich history that goes back as far as ancient Thrace. The passing of the centuries has married a complexity of cultures that we here in the West know so little of. Bulgaria truly is a hidden culture.

We invite you to join our journey with Treasures from a hidden culture.