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Hitesh Patel
The authentic flavours of India come from blends of aromatic spices that, until now, were hard to find if you live on the Hibiscus Coast.
Hitesh Patel and his wife Chetana, owners of Spice House Silverdale, moved to the Coast in 2008 and had become used to making a monthly trip to Auckland city to spend a day buying all their spice supplies.
Hitesh says the idea of opening his own local Indian grocery came to him when he saw a rapid increase in the numbers of Indian people living in the area.
He says he knows of Indian families from as far north as Wellsford who travel to Auckland city to buy spices and other speciality items.
Hitesh and Chetana are experienced retailers who bought their first liquor store in Kerikeri in 2006 and currently own Super Liquor Hilltop and Red Beach Liquor.
Hitesh, an experienced computer engineer, emigrated to NZ in 2003 and brought his family out six months later. His qualifications were not recognised in this country, so he worked as a cabinetmaker and drove a bus before buying the store in Kerikeri.
Learning about liquor was challenging for the Hindu couple; Hitesh comes from Gujarat, a dry state, but says he began drinking alcohol because it was essential to know his product so that he could advise customers.
There will be no such sacrifice required for Spice House Silverdale, as the couple already have an extensive knowledge of spices and how to combine them. Initially the spices will come from large importers, but in time Hitesh hopes to bring them in direct from contacts in India.
“The quicker they can get here the better, as freshness is essential,” he says.
As well as spices, the store in Keith Hay Court, Silverdale Village offers a wide range of groceries, including basic Asian and South African items, Indian cookware and equipment. There is also a money transfer service and online sales via www.spicehouse.co.nz.
Hitesh says he and Chetana will keep a close eye on Spice House Silverdale while it gets established, as well as running their other businesses.
“After working on the Coast since 2008, we know what it takes to get a store up and running. We will be listening to customers to make sure we are supplying what they need.”
