Black Friday @ VISHALA 4

MISSOURI CITY: Imagine 150 patrons in sweltering humid 93 degree heat cuing up as early as 7:15 AM for a 10AM grand opening of….an Indian Grocery Store!!  It was like Black Friday in July when Vishala celebrated the grand opening of its 4th location with Masala Radio, last Sunday, July 31.   Vishala I HWY 6 flagship owners Virendra and Yogina Thakkar beamed with pride as Vishala 4 owners Jagrut & Gopi Thakker tried to maintain control of over capacity crowds that patiently waited for their “First Customer” prizes: at 10AM Canola Oil 32.5 lb for $9.99 plus a Silver Coin, at 11AM 20 lb Chakki Atta for $3.99 and 1 gram saffron, and at 12 noon $10 lb Kohinoor Basmati Rice for $2.99 plus gift hamper with Deep snacks and Brittania cookies.    They were really in line to buy groceries at ridiculously low grand opening prices like Gud for only $5.99 (regularly $9.99). Meena Contractor said, he may as well have given it all away for free, and saved the 45-minute line at the register, the prices were so low!”   Bindu Sheth said, “I used to make fun of my daughter standing in line for 40 minutes during the Fourth of July sale at Tory Birch outlet, yet here I was, doing it for groceries!”

Vishala and Masala Radio organized a series of entertainment and culinary tasting to keep the crowd distracted in line.  Every 15 minutes the kids of all Vishala owners, sporting the same branded yellow polos as their parents, passed out cases of cold water, House of Spices pista and malai kulfi’s, Frooti Mango Drinks and other Cold Drinks.  Masala Radio host Sunil T kept the crowd entertained with quirky filmi dialogues and dance contests.  Masala Entertainment’s Singer-Choreographer Henna Shah and Masti Entertainment’s Singer-DJ Ajay Chunchu kept the crowd dancing with Bollywood hits, dances, and live singing amid showers of confetti.

Patrons delighted in a variety of tasting, from Deep’s Sujata brand instant khaman dhoklas, freshy tossed with oil, mustard seeds and jalapenos, and Sujata instant mini idlis, Mitaas Snacks hot mix, and Quick Tea Instant Chai.  Other prizes included Cruise Guzs cruise ticket to Bipin Patel and airline tickets to Priti Shah.  Chemmmanur Gold representative personally judged and distributed 12 Gold Coins to various winners including Rishita Shah, a high school dancer from Naach Houston.   “I thought it was going to be a boring afternoon with my parents at an Indian Grocery Store, but when I heard Nagada Sang Dhol Baje I just threw myself into the dance contest and won!  I loved eating Pani Puri on the curb and washing it all down with a kulfi, it was the kind of fun I missed from India,” said Shah.  Guests delighted in selfies with an Indian Rikshaw and circa 1963 Fiat.

All four Vishala owners, including Vyomesh & Aarti Patel of Vishala 2 in Katy, and Sanjay and Deepa Patel of Vishala 3 on Westheimer were present for the auspicious time of the ribbon cutting ceremony by Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen along with Missouri City and Stafford Council Members and City of Sugar Land Council Member Harish Jajoo.  Chief Celebrity Guest, South Indian Film Star Divya Unni glamorized the event.  Mayor Owen said, “Well this is certainly the most colorful Grand Opening I have officiated in a long time! And I wish Mr. & Mrs Thakker all the good luck for their enterprise…”

Vishala 4 is open for business 7 days a week from 10am to 8:30pm at 2881 Dulles Avenue, Missouri City, 77459.  Visit them online at vishalagrocerytx.com or call 281-969-8606