Suffolk’s largest South Asian grocery store opens in Commack

By Hamza Khan

Commack is now home to the largest South Asian grocery store in Suffolk County.

Sanjha Bazaar officially opened its doors this week, taking over the former Ace Hardware location at 2160 Jericho Turnpike, Suite B. The store offers a wide selection of fresh produce, spices, frozen foods, and a Halal butcher shop, catering to a community that previously had to travel farther west for such items.

The endeavor is led by Long Island entrepreneur Mohinder Pal Singh, who owns 17 Dunkin’ and two Pizza Hut locations on the Island.

“The South Asian grocery store business has been on my mind for many, many years — specifically in Suffolk County, because currently most of these kinds of stores are in Nassau County,” Singh, who was born in India, previously told Greater Long Island.

(Note: This Sanjha Bazaar has no affiliation with the similarly named grocery store in Pennsylvania.)

Commack was chosen as the store’s location due to its presence in the “center” of Suffolk County, according to Singh. Sanjha Bazaar fits neatly between major roads Jericho Turnpike and Veteran’s Memorial Highway.

Although there are some South Asian grocery options in Suffolk — particularly in Selden — they are far and in between. At 19,351 square feet, Sanjha Bazaar stands out among them in size.

Singh had leased the property early this year, joining the existing co-tenants PetSmart and Applebee’s.

“Our goal is to give the communities a very new and unique experience in South Asian foods and, at the same time, keep the needs of all people in mind,” Singh said.

— Hamza Khan is a freelance journalist based on Long Island. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Binghamton’s WICZ FOX 40.

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Top photo: Exterior of the new Sanjha Bazaar in Commack. (Courtesy)