Little Delhi on Carrington Street has been serving home cooked southern Indian food since it opened its doors in 2013 but Thursday will see those same doors closed for the final time.

Owner and cook Chris Warid told the Lismore App that the long hours and the slow decline in customers is the main reason for the closure.

After coming to Lismore to study Business and Accounting at Southern Cross University in 1993 Chris always had a secret desire to open his own restaurant. His passion for cooking comes from being a round the family restaurant in Fiji, "it is in my blood," Chris said, "I am not a trained chef but I have a passion for home style southern Indian cooking."

His first night was as a pop-up restaurant on the night of the Lismore Lantern Parade in 2013. From that moment, Chris kept the doors open for the next 7 and bit years.

"Buttered Chicken and Spinach were my two most popular dishes," Chris declared, " every time I would change the menu people would always ask to bring back their favourites."

Chris Warid in his Little Delhi restaurant on Carrington Street. Photo: Simon Mumford

Why are you shutting the doors on Little Delhi?

Chris explained the last twelve months have been slower, even before COVID.

"Business picked up after the flood but not long after that I noticed the evening trade was slowing down. The Thursday night was a big success because of the markets but outside of that there was little traffic after five when the other shops closed."

As the cook for Little Delhi, Chris was around the restaurant for 13-14 hours a day and with the evening trade dipping he decided to open just for lunch from 11am to 4pm.

"This was my initial goal when I started," Chris said, "to provide a lunchtime service for the people of the CBD."

Are there too many Indian Restaurants in Lismore?

"I think there is, seven to eight is a lot, I think the market is saturated for Indian cuisine."

Chris is moving back to his study roots of business and accounting, he starts a full time position at Biztax on Monday.

"When I finished my degree I worked in finance at SCU until I opened Little Delhi."

"I have achieved what I wanted to do," Chris stated, "Seven years is a long time and owning your own business does have an impact on your family life, the business consumes you."

"I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life."

Chris is selling Little Delhi so if you are interested in a well set-up food business, you can call Chris on 0422 938 248 or email him [email protected].

For the lovers of Chris' dishes, the door is ajar. He may return with a delivery service of the same food. Stay tuned.

Little Delhi is the second restaurant business to close its doors in the last three weeks with Italian and pizza restaurant Fire In The Belly announcing its closure on October 1, 2020.