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By the time Amar Das began stocking the shelves to open South Asian Mart Food and Fashion on Loudoun Road, the epidemic had taken root. In the year On November 14, 2020, Das, along with his brother Dal Das and “cousin” Krishna Darjee, opened the store and his new venture.
Some customers came in, but not many. They stock mainly Nepalese and Indian food products in their four aisles. Gradually their supply grew and sales increased.
Now the three business owners see regular customers, some traveling from Manchester and even Rochester. Their shelves are filled with dishes from Thai, Japanese and Korean cuisine alongside a growing Nepali and Indian menu.
He is learning how to operate the register and stock shelves for Amar Cash.
“I’ve never done business like this in my country or here,” he said. But my cousin has got the idea, so I am helping him to achieve his goal.
To stock their shelves with their unique products, the owners drive 260 miles to New York City to sell to many vendors in their native Nepal. The trek takes them just over five hours each way – they usually leave on Wednesday morning, shop all day and spend the night in a hotel before returning on Thursday.
Their flour inventory alone shows the range of products beyond the grocery shelf – rice, sattu, jowar, chapati, barley, white rice, yellow corn and white corn flour are just a few of the many variations.
The store offers more than produce and South Asian innovations. In the back, Amar’s father runs a tailor shop, with a sewing machine set up for alterations. Around his sewing station are colorful fabrics, dresses and other ready-made garments.
They also sell kitchenware, the first aisle in the store is stocked with rice cookers, knives and dishes.
In the back, a Western Union kiosk sits ready to send and receive money abroad. At the entrance, the store offers a Bitstop ATM, for bitcoin purchases.
The store is a way for the Das brothers and Darge to help Concord’s growing immigrant community. Amar Das moved from Nepal in 2010 and graduated from Concord High School.
Before their store opened, customers told the Das brothers they would drive to Boston to find a certain item they couldn’t find on grocery shelves around here.
“It’s good to help our community,” Amar said. “We will try our best to carry all those who need it.”
Mitchell Lama heard the “front door open” alarm Wednesday when he arrived with his father. 3-year-old Mitchell played with plastic monkey candy while his father bought it. before handing over coins for his dad to put on the counter to pay for the candy.
Amar got to know his regular customers who come mostly on weekends. But many times people return to the store after the first visit. New faces are coming in too.
“Every week we get a new client, it’s a great way to build our business,” he said.
And the number of customers varies. Amar sees many new Americans looking for ingredients from their homeland. It also deals with South Asian American spouses trying to prepare meals for their families. Even college students get in — they love their instant noodle dishes, he joked.
After a slow start and the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the Das brothers and Darji continue to build a customer base for their new business.
“We’re still learning. We’re not perfect. This is a small business,” Amar said. “Our customers, we appreciate it and we appreciate those who visit.”
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