Chetan Sharma moved to Skellefteå from India in September.
Chetan Sharma is the man behind the grocery store Sharma shoppers stop. It opened on the October 17 and focuses on selling Indian food. The store is located on Nygatan.
– I am actually a yacht designer, and I operate this store as a side business, Chetan says.
He moved to Skellefteå in September.
– I spoke with Roland Eriksson at the municipality's business office and told him about my idea to open up this store.
Roland encouraged him.
– It's a very good thing for the city, both for the newcomers and the people that have lived here for a long time, Eriksson says.
Chetan mainly sells products from India and Pakistan.
– Some of the products are shipped here via Stockholm and Malmo, but I also get stuff directly from India.
Increasing numbers of Swedes are coming to the store to buy Indian food, he says.
– They mostly buy cereal and spices. Many say that they have looked up recipes on YouTube.
Chetan wants to stay in Skellefteå. At the moment, he is the only one working in the store.
– But I might have to hire someone in the future if I get more projects in the yacht designing business.
Roland Eriksson at the business office says the Indian store is the first of its kind in Skellefteå.
Roland Eriksson at the business office says this is the first Indian grocery store in Skellefteå.
– As far as I know that is the case. There are stores with focus on oriental or Arabic food here, but not Indian.
New establishments like these are a sign of the internationalisation going on in Skellefteå.
– The people that move here from other countries want to contribute to the city. If the things you want can't be found here, you sort it out yourself.