Indian cafe, grocery store plan clears hurdle in Buffalo Grove

Schaumburg resident Rakesh Pandita hopes to fill a niche in Buffalo Grove.

Pandita is asking the village for approval to open Minaz Café and Indian Grocery Store in a vacant space at 21 N. Buffalo Grove Road.

The proposal received a positive recommendation Wednesday from the village’s planning and zoning commission.

The 1,300-square-foot space in the Buffalo Grove Shoppes shopping center previously had been occupied by another Indian grocer, Arrow Grocery, until the owner’s retirement last year.

Pandita, who will be the owner and operator, said Minaz plans to sell foods typically unavailable in area grocery stores. His wares will include meat, poultry, seafood and produce. He also plans to sell baked goods, pre-made sandwiches and beverages for take out.

An application to the village said all products would be handled and prepared by a certified chef with years of culinary experience. Seasonings and spices also would be prepared in house.

“We’re going to provide special grocery items, (such as) juices and coffee, Indian tea, Indian snacks and vegetarian snacks. When people are on their way somewhere, they can just grab something,” said Pandita, a native of New Delhi, India.

The store could open by the end of March, said Barry Millman, the leasing agent for the property.

Plan Commissioner Adam Moodhe noted that the application materials said that more than 13% of the population in the village is Indian.

“This could be quite successful,” Moodhe said.