Sony Singh claims he has the only Indian grocery store in the Northern Rivers following the opening of Marsala Indian & Continental Grocery at 171 Keen Street, Lismore.

It was only in June 2019 that Sonny opened his Indian restaurant, Marsala Fusion next door in Keen Street.

"People used to ask me where do you get your nice spices", Sony said, "So, I came up with the idea to open an Indian grocery store".

The old Iguana Restaurant that was next door to Mr Singh was vacant when he moved next door and remained vacant over the next twelve months so he rented the space from the owners before coronavirus put the idea on hold for short while as business declined in April and May.

As well as the delay in opening the store, COVID has also caused some stock issues.

"It was a bit of a struggle to bring some of the products into the new shop because of the border closures but I managed to get them slowly", Mr Singh said.

What can you buy at Marsala Indian & Continental Grocery?

Everything to make an authentic Indian meal to any palate whether you like no heat, a little heat or a lot of heat in your meals.

There is 60 different spices like buttered chicken powder, curry powder to all the usual herbs and spices you find in a supermarket including mild or hot combinations. Then there is all sorts of seasoning and premixed spices from Pakistan and India.

Some ingredients like Lentils come from Australian farmers while there is lots of different varieties of rice, pickles, chutney's, flour like chickpea, semolina and rice flour, pastes and papadam's, the list goes on.

So, if you are thinking of cooking your own Indian food for dinner you don't have to rely on the Coles and Woolworths of the world to buy your ingredients anymore. Support your local business and check out Marsala Indian & Continental Grocery at 171 Keen Street.

Sony Singh has been living in Lismore for 13 years with his two daughters going to Blue Hills College in Goonellabah.