TRU grads open authentic Indian grocery store in Kamloops
A pair of TRU grads are set to open their new specialty Indian grocery store in Kamloops today.
Business majors Harpreet Singh and Udit Bharti are the founders of Daana Paani, which has opened on Seymour Street.
Inspired by their own experience as international students, they hope to provide authentic, familiar foods to those studying far from home.
"We did not have our traditional groceries here," Prachi Gupta, TRU student and store representative, told iNFOnews.ca. "There are a lot of international students here studying, away from their home, and they miss their own food."
The two-level store features imported items from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They sell imported grocery items like masala Lays chips, baked goods, and desserts like rasmalai.
They also have a selection of traditional men's and women's clothing, handbags and religious items.
Downstairs, the Chaat Baar serves the popular street food golgappa, a crispy ball stuffed with a spicy potato and chickpea filling, made fresh to order.
"Many Canadians love Indian food," Gupta said. "We have a place where they could come up and feel like, it's a home away from home."
She said they carry a very popular item, paan, and she's hoping locals will give it a try.
"It's a sweet dessert kind of thing which Indian people love," she said. "If people from other cultures try it, they're going to love it as well."
To check out Daana Paani, visit them this Friday at 414 Seymour Street between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
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