Grand Opening Celebrated on Republic Day
SUGAR LAND: Republic Day Celebration and the grand opening of one of the biggest Indian grocery stores in Houston took place on January 26, from 1-5 P.M. at the Sugar Land Keemat Grocers, located at Hwy 6 South and William Trace. Sunil T with his crazy Masala Crew brought the festivities to everyone through a riveting live broadcast Anyone traveling along HWY 6 could see the festive tricolor in penants, balloons, tents, ethnic wind dancers and a parade of quaint Indian vehicles. The Indian vehicle display outside Keemat brought back memories of every one as they posed and took pictures with the Masala Hummer, Mumbai Taxi from Mumbai, Ahmedabad Rickshaw, Bajaj Scooter and the new Sholay Bullet attracted kids and families to feel the Republic Day spirit in the air. There was a steady and long line for mouthwatering free Pani Pani, Pakoras and Masala Chai, and it was hard to refuse hooked patrons a second plate. As bright and welcoming as the exterior, shoppers still gasped at the tri-color vibrancy and party going on inside! Sunil T delighted the audience, young to old, with random dance contests as he led “Hun Dabang Dabang Dabang’ while a group of belted men strained to win Keemat Gift Cards. Name your price, he shouted in his Police Inspector uniform, as shoppers held up the most expensive grocery item they could carry and walked away with it re priced for a few dollars. A few oil dabbas (regularly $27.99) went for as low as $10 to those strong enough to carry it! It was addicting…it was feverish…it was a day in the life for Masala. Shoppers enjoyed shopping for amazingly fresh produce – at even amazingling low prices – to the rocking beats of DJ Nish and Dholi Keval Gada.
Though Keemat Sugarland had soft opened a month prior, owner Kawal Oberoi wanted everything to be tested and perfect before the Masala Grand Opening. Thus the store ceremonially opened with a ribbon cutting at 2PM in the present of community leaders such as Gujarati Samaj of Houston President Amee Patel and VP Bharat Parikh, and the Sugar Land City Council Members Harish Jajoo, Amy Mitchell and Himesh Gandhi. More than 2000 people buzzed in from as far away as Galveston and Cypress. 6 ladies, promoting healthy living by eating fresh Keemat vegetables, put their skills to test at the Salad Competition, judged by City Council members and Oberoi. After deliberating through a seemingly impossible decision – judges announced the winning “JAI HIND” SALAD by Joshana Kanabar and Meena Contractor and awarded a $100 Gift Certificate. Following immediately afterwards, Naach Houston’s Mahesh Mahbubani led guests in a session of Bombay Jam – aerobics bursting with popular Bollywood songs. An overwhelming 80% of the customers were wearing orange and received one of 2000 bags of Zafrani rice.
The buy one get one free at Keemat Khana Bazaar kept the staff busy…nearly exhausted. There were product samplings – including Aloo Tikki and Raas Malai – throughout the store, as patron several hours experiencing the huge product line and excellent customer service at Keemat Grocers Sugarland. Patrons were happy to learn that a part of all sales would be donated to the worthy Ek Disha, a USA based non-profit organization impacting humanitarian projects all over India. General Managers Rakhee and Anil thanked customers personally for their patronage and look forward to a long-term relationship in Houston.