Indian shop opens to spice things up in Glendale

Just before setting foot in his new shop, Kumar Jawa got on knees to touch the threshold and then brought his fingers to touch his forehead.

The gesture of respect is an Indian custom performed before entering one’s own business, he says.

“In Indian culture, we think [the store] is our mother,” Jawa said. “This gives us bread and butter and money. My father did, my grandfather did it.”

Jawa comes from a long line of business owners, becoming one himself when he opened Indian Sweets and Spices in the Southland in 1984. It’s expanded to several locations since then, including one in Atwater Village.

Now he’s opened up a store in Glendale under the name India Organic & Natural, which his son runs.

Located at 1340 E. Colorado St., the decision to sprout up in Glendale wasn’t to accommodate a growing Indian population, but because the community enjoys many culinary cultures, Jawa said.

“In Glendale, every restaurant is busy. Why? Because people like to try other foods,” he said.

The shelves are packed with the many imported curry powders, sauces and seasonings Indian cuisine is synonymous with — ranging from mild yet flavorful to varieties for fans of a spicy kick.

One aisle carries jars of hot vindaloo sauce, while on another, it’s all about packets of turmeric powder.

“Mainly, spices from other countries take the oil out, Indian spices don’t take the oil out,” Jawa said.

And with Indians being one of the largest ethnic minorities living in England, he put together a little “English quarter” in a corner of his store that’s stocked with British teas and other goods.

Jawa is gearing up for the opening of Curry King next week, a new restaurant in Silver Lake, and plans on preparing meals there in the morning to bring to the Glendale store to sell.

Places for buying Indian ingredients are vastly outnumbered by Armenian shops, but so far Jawa says most of his customers have been in fact Armenians. Coincidentally, the former business in the space was the Ararat Deli, an Armenian grocery.

Darlene Sanchez, the city’s principal economic development officer, said she’s glad Jawa is opening a location in Glendale because he recognized the community’s appreciation for diversity in food.

“We really do have a flavor profile of all different types of cuisine,” she said. “Having a strong Indian market adds to that.”