A spice of life

Summerside man plans to move and expand store offering Indian fare

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.WHEN Abdallah Abu-khajil visited P.E.I. for the first time back in 2018, he had one thought: “I love this place.”

He returned to the Island in 2021, only this time it would be permanent.

The former banker from the United Arab Emirates had some ideas for opening a store selling specialty groceries and spices.

He suspected culinary products that were not readily available in Summerside at that time would later come to be in significant demand due to various ethnic groups immigrating to the city.

In September of 2021, he opened Elite Indian Grocery inside the County Fair Mall.

FACING BARRIERS

The business ran great, though he faced some challenges from major corporations within the area telling him what he could or could not sell. The mall’s hours of operation also did not match that of his business well.

“There are too many limitations and restrictions because of Sobeys on one side and Giant Tiger on another, and they’ve asked me not to carry many products that compete with them,” he said.

This spring, Abu-khajil is moving and expanding to a new location at 37 Central St. in Summerside.

He plans to rename the new location Elite Spice Store.

“The idea is to make this business grow,” he said.

UNIQUE PRODUCTS

Abu-khajil also hopes to add more Indian products to his upcoming store and offer products like confectionery, dairy, tobacco, and more.

“I feel very optimistic. I believe that with the current success of the Indian community, I will be able to attract more people to my neighbourhood and provide more products for them,” he said.

“The variety of Indian products I have are unavailable anywhere else in Summerside.”

Although Abu-khajil is expanding his business, he does worry that supply and demand will be impacted by the federal and provincial governments' attempts to slow down immigration. He still remains hopeful the variety of products he offers will appeal to a wide range of people and culinary palates.

“The variety of Indian products I have are unavailable anywhere else in Summerside.”

Abdallah Abu-khajil

YUTARO SASAKI • SPECIAL TO SALTWIRE Many people with different ethnic backgrounds come to Abdallah Abu-khajil’s store often to purchase spices and groceries for their meals, says the onwer, who is originally from United Arab Emirates.

YUTARO SASAKI • SPECIAL TO SALTWIRE This spring, Abdallah Abu-khajil, the owner of Elite Indian Grocery located inside of the County Fair Mall in Summerside, P.E.I., will move and expand his spice business to 37 Central St.