Grocery Opens Soon in St. Paris

Ice Cream Parlor Will Also Return

It’s been two years since the IGA grocery store closed in the village. Since then, St. Paris residents have been relying on its Dollar General store for quick shopping trips within the village, but the lack of an actual grocery store has been a glaring void for residents who don’t want to drive to larger towns.

After several months of planning, a new store will open at the old IGA location.
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A new grocery store will open in St. Paris at the site of the old IGA. The sign is ready and the store is set to open soon. Urbana Daily Citizen Staff photo

The new owner, Raj Vangaveti, said he plans to be opening “any day now” as St. Paris Shoppers and Grocery. The store will include fresh produce, meats and other traditional fresh grocery items, Vangaveti said.

​In addition, a familiar favorite spot, the ice cream parlor, will be open seasonally.

“I came from a small town in India,” Vangaveti said. “Growing up we did not have a grocery store for miles. Many of us did not even have cars to commute and it was extremely difficult to get everyday supplies. Sometimes I had to bike for miles to get a gallon of milk or a packet of bread.

“I have decided and have been looking for the right opportunity to join a small community and help with everyday needs,” he said. “I am incredibly happy to find the right opportunity in St. Paris. I am very eager and excited to be part of this small friendly community.”


Initially the store will provide customers with a fully featured grocery store that will include fresh food like milk, eggs, bread, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh produce, fruits, frozen food, meat, beer and wine. It will also have candy, soda pop, paper towels, bathroom tissues, diapers, pet food, automotive products, tobacco, cigarettes, lottery and other items.
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“A unique, upscale, and innovative environment will be provided to the customers with a friendly atmosphere,” Vangaveti said. “Our store will differ from the traditional grocery store because of our added personal touch.

We are planning to add a gas/fueling station in near future. There will be a common sitting area where the customers can get deli meat, pizza and fried food. We will be planning to reopen the ice cream parlor in the summer.”

Vangaveti said he believes that the responsibility for customer satisfaction is not focused solely on the sale of a product, but rather is the total relationship a customer experiences when interacting with the organization. “We believe in honesty and truth in all transactions and in providing products of the highest quality and at fair prices. We should do everything possible to provide outstanding service in marketing the products we sell.”

Vangaveti said concern for people gives the store the drive to be a good corporate citizen.

“We believe we have a responsibility to be a good neighbor in maintaining our property in first-class condition and by making the appearance of our store, facilities, equipment, and grounds as attractive as possible, making them an asset to the communities that support our store.”

The campaign includes an intense training session for all employees, and a firm understanding and commitment to deliver these pledge points, he said.

Hours of operation for the store will be 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Checks and all major credit cards will be accepted. “Food stamp policy along with other policies will be in place once we open the store,” Vangaveti said.