SURESH BODIWALA
CHICAGO: What started as a small family business on Devon Avenue in India Town over four decades ago, Patel Brothers has now blossomed into the largest Indian grocery store chain in the United States.
Its latest feather in the cap is coming to a north side suburb of Chicago Niles. The grand opening of Patel Brothers storefront at 9555 North Milwaukee Ave. Niles attracted hundreds of well-wishers, and potential customers.
Nearly ten months of predation and announcing plans to open this facility on Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, Patel Brothers cut the ribbon October 3 opening the store to the public for the first time. Founded in 1974, Patel Brothers operates more than 50 stores nationwide and sells lines of frozen and prepackaged Indian foods.
The store’s inauguration was with a ceremonial start by BAPS temple priests in accordance with the sect’s religious tenants. Mayor of Niles, Andrew Przybylo, accompanied Mafat Patel, co-founder of the grocery store, in cutting the ribbon as shoppers eagerly waited to enter the new store.
“We are truly a diverse community. We celebrate all cultures,” said Przybylo.
Mafat Patel gave credit to the hard work and talent of the third generation of Patel family in advancing and building the Indian grocery empire.
“All the hard work from the first generation paid off. When we started the business, we were very small,” Now, I am just helping them. The second and third generation are doing a great job,” Patel said, overwhelmed by the response to the store opening and surrounded by three generations of family members.
The third-generation grocery store food chain was initially started by the Tulsibhai Patel, an Indian businessman with a passion for Indian values.
“We have nothing but gratitude,” said Swetal Patel, vice president and company spokesperson. “With many choices out there for the consumer, they still have such loyalty. We are all so thankful.”
Patel Brothers stores offer everything from an on-site bakery and hot food items, a collection of exotic Indian vegetables found exclusively at their stores, a massive variety Indian grains and frozen food items, to carefully curated selection of adjacent shops catering to the Indian community. The Indian grocer has been fast to adjust to the needs of modern-day Indian families.
“The bakery has really helped families now,” said Swetal Patel. “One of the staples in every Indian and Pakistani home is fresh bread at dinner time. But it’s also the most tedious thing to do, to constantly make bread every day. Now you can come here and get bread anywhere from $1 to $1.49 for three to five pieces, and it’s made fresh. Not daily, but every three to five minutes. You can see here they’re just churning out fresh bread.”
Rakesh Patel, Mafat’s elder son, who has mastered the art of putting the grocer’s retail locations together, said: “This is how Indian grocery shopping should be. With plenty of room to move around comfortably.” He added that the new store is outfitted with an additional 12,000 square feet of space for storage on the second floor and a rear parking lot made with permeable pavement to reduce stormwater runoff.
The new store location is a prime retail site formerly occupied by big-box retailer Toys R Us. The site will now house six storefronts adjacent to the grocery store, including restaurants, shops, and a halal butcher shop all curated by Patel’s elder son.
“We know it’s a strong retail corner. Niles has a very ethnic and diverse offering, and this will only continue to add to those offerings, which will only help our very diverse population,” said Niles Economic Development Coordinator Ross Klicker.
The new store is expected to bring significant tax revenues from food sales to the Village of Niles. The village imposes a 2.5 per cent sales tax on all businesses selling food, and the boost from tax revenue to the village from the new store is yet to be fully realized. ”
“This is a great use for the village. We’re very confident it’s going to be an outstanding location. It’ll be very successful for all parties involved,” Klicker said.
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