Founders Jaswinder Singh Johal and Desh Deepak Bhardwaj joined Romy Selhi for an inauguration celebrating an entrepreneurial journey and a new destination for Central Massachusetts shoppers.
SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts — Apna Bazar Shrewsbury opened its 70,000-square-foot Indian and international supermarket on October 22, 2026, drawing a huge crowd and marking a milestone for a business that began with a small neighborhood grocery shop in New York.
Founders Jaswinder Singh Johal and Desh Deepak Bhardwaj joined Romy Selhi at the inauguration, connecting the business’s beginnings with its newest chapter. Their presence gave the occasion a significance beyond the opening of a large store: it brought the people behind Apna Bazar’s growth together with the community its Shrewsbury location will serve.
Located at the former Stop & Shop property on Boston Turnpike, near H&M, the supermarket returns a substantial retail space to grocery use. Visitors arrived to explore its selection, meet the team and take part in the celebrations. Jay-Ho! was also there to join the community in welcoming the new destination.
The Founders Behind Apna Bazar’s Journey
Apna Bazar’s roots lie in a small Jackson Heights, New York, grocery store established by Johal and Bhardwaj. From that modest beginning, the business expanded to serve communities across the United States.
The distance between a neighborhood shop and a supermarket of Shrewsbury’s scale is measured in years of work: understanding customers, developing supplier relationships and building teams capable of carrying the business forward.
Grocery stores occupy a personal place in household routines. Families depend on them for everyday ingredients, familiar brands and the foods associated with important occasions. Earning that confidence takes consistency.
Seeing the founders at the Shrewsbury inauguration brought that history into focus. Behind the expansive floor space and specialty departments stood the people whose early enterprise helped make the opening possible.
Romy Selhi’s Vision for Shrewsbury
Romy Selhi has played a central role in bringing the Shrewsbury location to life. In pre-opening reporting by What Now Boston, he emphasized quality, variety and competitive pricing as priorities for the supermarket.
The store’s published selection reflects a broad international approach. Its official website describes groceries serving Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi households, alongside products catering to Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, Ugandan, African, Brazilian and other international communities.
That range allows customers to find familiar household essentials while exploring ingredients from other culinary traditions. A product one shopper has used for decades may be another shopper’s discovery.
The opportunity for Selhi and his team is to make that variety accessible through clear organization, helpful service and dependable availability.
What Shoppers Can Find at Apna Bazar Shrewsbury
According to the promotional announcement released ahead of the inauguration, the supermarket features more than 100,000 items and dedicated specialty counters including:
- Apna Sweet Shop
- Apna Bakery
- Chai Wala
- A 100% halal meat department
- Fresh Kitchen by Maya Express
The store’s official website also lists fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, atta, dals, spices, dairy products, snacks and frozen foods, together with takeout and a dine-in food court.
These offerings give the supermarket several roles in a household’s routine. A weekly grocery trip can include a prepared meal, while a visit for tea or sweets can become an opportunity to pick up essentials.
The timing is also relevant for families preparing for Diwali, when special meals, entertaining and celebrations often create longer shopping lists and a need for particular ingredients.
A Community Celebration on Inauguration Day
A huge turnout gave the October 22 opening a lively atmosphere. Visitors enjoyed complimentary samosas, chai and food as they explored the supermarket and spent time with friends and neighbors.
Opening-day gifts and giveaways, announced in advance, had helped build anticipation. The hospitality gave visitors a reason to pause and share the occasion as well as shop.
The gathering demonstrated considerable initial interest in the new location. The relationships established after the celebration—through everyday service, freshness and value—will shape its lasting place in the community.
Why Shrewsbury Is a Meaningful Location
Local demographic history provides useful context for a supermarket offering an extensive international selection.
According to UMass Boston’s Institute for Asian American Studies, using U.S. Census data, Shrewsbury’s Asian-alone population grew from 5,451 in 2010 to 9,434 in 2020, an increase of 73.1%. It represented 24.6% of the town’s population in 2020. These figures include multiple Asian communities rather than measuring the Indian population specifically.
That community presence helps explain the relevance of access to varied ingredients and familiar brands. The potential audience also includes residents whose interest in a cuisine begins at a restaurant, a friend’s dinner table or a community event.
For families maintaining their own culinary traditions, access has an everyday importance. Finding the right ingredients makes it easier to prepare family recipes, celebrate festivals and introduce children to foods their parents and grandparents grew up enjoying.
How Groceries and Prepared Food Fit Changing Shopping Habits
Apna Bazar’s combination of groceries and dining options connects the store to a wider development in supermarket retail.
FMI—The Food Industry Association reported in its 2025 Power of Foodservice at Retail research that the share of consumers choosing deli-prepared foods instead of restaurant meals increased from 12% in 2017 to 28% in 2025.
That national finding does not measure demand at Apna Bazar itself. It does, however, help explain the relevance of prepared-food counters: customers can purchase ingredients for home cooking and find a ready-to-eat option during the same visit.
For the Shrewsbury supermarket, the bakery, food court and specialty counters create opportunities to serve different needs—from planned family meals to a quick stop on a busy day.
Grand Opening Gifts and Diwali Sale Details
Before the inauguration, Apna Bazar advertised the following October 22 opening-day gifts, limited to one per family:
- First 100 customers: A free pure silver coin.
- Next 100 customers: A free pressure cooker.
- Next 50 customers: A free dinner set.
- Throughout inauguration day: Free hourly surprise giveaways and complimentary refreshments.
These offers were announced specifically for inauguration day and are separate from the continuing Grand Opening and Diwali Mega Sale, which runs through November 30, 2026, according to the official website.
The advance announcement also promoted a mega lucky draw featuring two iPhone 18 devices and two LG UHD 86-inch smart televisions. Customers should consult the store for current participation requirements, eligibility and drawing dates.
A New Chapter for the Apna Bazar Family
The inauguration brought the founders, the Shrewsbury team and a large gathering of visitors together to celebrate a substantial undertaking.
For Johal, Bhardwaj and Selhi, it marked a proud milestone. For local shoppers, it introduced a destination whose role will develop through everyday groceries, shared meals and family occasions.
Jay-Ho! congratulates the founders, Romy and the entire Apna Bazar family, with best wishes for many successful years of serving Shrewsbury and the surrounding communities.
Apna Bazar Shrewsbury: Location and Contact
Address: 551 Boston Turnpike, near H&M, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Shopping plaza: Identified in opening promotions as 539–571 Boston Turnpike
Phone: (508) 719-8119
Website: apnabazarshrewsbury.com
Grand Opening and Diwali Sale: October 22–November 30, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Apna Bazar Shrewsbury located?
Apna Bazar Shrewsbury is located at 551 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545, near H&M at the former Stop & Shop property.
2. When did Apna Bazar Shrewsbury open?
Apna Bazar Shrewsbury officially opened on October 22, 2026, with an inauguration attended by founders Jaswinder Singh Johal and Desh Deepak Bhardwaj, along with Romy Selhi.
3. What can you buy at Apna Bazar Shrewsbury?
Apna Bazar offers Indian and international groceries, including rice, atta, dals, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, snacks, frozen foods and specialty food items. The store also features a bakery, sweet shop, chai counter, halal meat department and prepared-food options.
4. Does Apna Bazar Shrewsbury have a halal meat department?
Yes. According to the store’s promotional announcement, Apna Bazar Shrewsbury features a dedicated 100% halal meat department.
5. What are the Apna Bazar Shrewsbury store hours?
Customers should check the official Apna Bazar Shrewsbury website or contact the store directly at (508) 719-8119 for the latest opening hours and holiday schedules.
6. Is Apna Bazar Shrewsbury having a Diwali sale?
Yes. The store’s website identifies a Grand Opening and Diwali Mega Sale running through November 30, 2026. Customers should check the official website or visit the store for current offers and terms.
