New business in town: Spice is right for CBD store concept

The new business owner said she hopes to teach others about authentic Indian dishes and using the perfect amount of spice.

Sejal Patel and Jiten Shah. Quick & Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists open in Ruthven St. Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A passion for cooking and desire to showcase traditional Indian flavours to suit even the mildest of palates has led one woman to open an Indian grocery store.

Sejal Patel and her husband Jiten Shah recently moved to Toowoomba after falling in love with the area and opened Quick and Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists.

While the business owner never anticipated opening her own shop, her love for cooking and teaching others about traditional Indian flavours enticed her to give it a go.

Owner of Quick and Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists Sejal Patel with husband Jiten Shah (left) and store attendant Milan Patel. Picture: Nev Madsen

“I owned a commercial cleaning company, and my clients kept telling me that they loved Indian food but they couldn’t eat too much spice,” Ms Patel said.

“My intention of opening this store is to offer many different options for people who want to eat Indian food but can’t because it is too spicy.”

After falling in love with Toowoomba and recently moving to the region, Sejal Patel decided to open Quick & Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists on Ruthven St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Stocking all ingredients required to cook a tasty Indian dish, Ms Patel said she would also be selling Indian sweets, drinks, namkeens and gravy to pair with most meats and cottage cheese.

“I plan to also play cooking videos in-store and share some of my recipes with customers,” she said.

“Cooking is one of my favourite things to do, and I would love to share that with others.”

New business Quick & Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists owner Sejal Patel. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Trading hours are currently being assessed and may change, but the store at 337 Ruthven St is currently open seven days from 9.30am to 10pm.