This 25,000-Square-Foot Connecticut Grocery Market Brings Foods From Around The World Under One Roof

Imagine walking into a grocery store and realizing your usual shopping list suddenly seems incredibly boring. There are ingredients you’ve never heard of and foods you didn’t even know existed.

And you’ve barely made it past the entrance.

One enormous Connecticut international grocery market brings foods from around the world together inside twenty-five thousand square feet.

Now that’s a lot of room for culinary curiosity.

I love the idea of discovering ingredients that might inspire a completely different dinner than the one you’d originally planned.

And there’s something exciting about seeing how many different food traditions can fit under one roof.

Of course, a store this large could make a quick grocery run slightly more ambitious than expected.

But that’s half the appeal.

Sometimes the best shopping discoveries happen when you stop following your list for a moment.

1. The Old Staples Building Got A Very Delicious Second Life

Staplers are out. Spices are in.

One former office supply store has undergone quite the transformation, and the result is a massive grocery shopping space.

Back in July 2018, Farmer’s India Market opened in Orange, taking over a building previously occupied by a Staples superstore.

Early reports described the new market as a 25,000-square-foot ethnic grocery store. Later that year, owner Yousuf Bokhary put the Orange location at approximately 50,000 square feet.

Whichever figure you go by, the scale is impressive. This isn’t the kind of grocery store where shoppers have to squeeze between crowded displays just to reach the next aisle.

The former big-box layout gives the market plenty of breathing room. Wide aisles make navigating with a shopping cart easier, while the organized sections help customers explore the extensive selection.

And the change in atmosphere is hard to ignore.

Where shoppers once picked up printer paper and office chairs, they can now browse spices and fresh vegetables while enjoying the aromas of cooking food.

It’s an interesting second chapter for a familiar retail building. Instead of sitting empty, the former Staples has become a busy destination for grocery shopping, with an entirely different selection filling its shelves.

2. A Tiny Massachusetts Shop Grew Into This Giant

Every big store starts somewhere. For the family behind this one, that somewhere was a 400-square-foot shop in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Yousuf Bokhary is president of India Markets, a family-run business that began more than 28 years ago. The company later opened a location in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 2014.

Then came the jump to Connecticut. Going from 400 square feet to a former superstore is a growth spurt worth bragging about.

The location wasn’t a random pick either. Bokhary chose Orange to serve the growing multi-ethnic community between the New Haven and Bridgeport markets.

That makes a lot of sense on a map. Orange sits right in the middle, so shoppers from both directions can reach it without a marathon drive.

I believe family-run roots show up in a store like this. The selection feels built by people who understand how hard it is to find the right rice or spice.

Knowing the backstory makes the visit more fun. You’re shopping at the latest chapter of a business that started smaller than many living rooms.

3. Produce So Big It Practically Needs Its Own Zip Code

Ten thousand square feet. That’s roughly how much room the owner said goes to the produce department at Farmer’s India Market.

Fill that much space with fruits and vegetables, and things get exciting fast. You’ll see items many regular supermarkets skip, like fresh lemongrass, prickly pears, and fresh turmeric.

Whole jackfruit shows up here too. If you’ve never seen one, prepare for a fruit that looks ready to win a weightlifting contest.

Eggplant fans get choices instead of just one glossy purple option. Several varieties line the bins, which helps when a family recipe calls for a specific kind.

Herbs come in big, generous bunches. Mint and dill are easy to find, and they’re priced competitively for anyone cooking in large batches.

Here’s my practical tip. Bring a list, but leave room for one wild-card fruit you can’t name yet.

Look it up when you get home, then figure out how to cook it. That’s half the fun of shopping in a produce section this big.

4. Your Passport Is Optional In These Aisles

Indian is in the name, but the shelves clearly didn’t get that memo. This store reaches across continents with impressive confidence.

Shoppers can find foods for Mexican, South and Central American, Caribbean, and Hispanic kitchens. West African, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Middle Eastern, and many Asian cuisines are covered too.

The specific products are where it gets fun. Think Bulgarian breakfast cheese, Salvadoreña and Guatemalteca cremas, fufu, achiote paste, and palm sugar.

Persian tea sits in the mix, along with gojeh sabz, the tart green Persian plums. Danish butter and German chocolate add a European detour.

For home cooks, this saves serious time. One stop can cover a taco night, a Persian stew, and a West African dinner.

It’s also a great place to try something brand new. Pick one unfamiliar item from a cuisine you’ve never cooked, then search for a simple recipe.

Your kitchen might get a little more adventurous by Friday. Your grocery bill might travel farther than your car did.

5. Spice Lovers, Your Shelf Has Arrived

Whole cumin, ground turmeric, garam masala, and much more fill the core of this store. The Indian staples section is the backbone of the whole operation.

A full range of Indian spices sits alongside rices, sauces, seasonings, yogurts, and breads. That covers the basics for nearly any home-cooked curry night.

Rice shoppers get options too. Basmati is the obvious star, but you’ll also find choices for other cuisines stocked nearby.

Lentils and dals are easy to grab while you’re here. They’re cheap to cook, filling, and one of the friendliest foods for beginners.

My tip for new cooks is simple. Start with three spices, like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala, then build from there.

Buying a few basics in one trip beats hunting through tiny supermarket jars for weeks. Your spice drawer will thank you.

Snack fans should wander a little. Biscuits, cookies, and sweets from South Asia make a fun reward for finishing the list.

6. Head To The Back For The Halal Butcher Counter

Meat shoppers, take note. A fresh halal butcher shop operates right inside Farmer’s India Market.

The counter offers cuts of beef, lamb, goat, and chicken. That variety matters for anyone cooking biryani, kebabs, stews, or a slow-simmered curry.

Goat can be surprisingly tough to find at a regular supermarket. Here, it’s simply part of the lineup, which makes planning special meals much easier.

Having the butcher under the same roof as the spices is a huge convenience. You can grab your meat, your masala, and your rice without a second stop.

A little planning helps at any busy butcher counter. Know roughly how much you need and what dish you’re making before you reach the front.

That way, you can ask clear questions about which cut works best. Butchers usually appreciate shoppers who come prepared.

I think this counter turns the store into a true full-meal destination. Dinner basically assembles itself as you walk the aisles.

7. Good Luck Shopping Hungry Near The Samosas

Samosas come in chicken, beef, vegetable, and paneer versions here. That’s four solid reasons to skip the snack aisle.

The prepared foods section goes well past samosas. Chicken biryani, mutton biryani, rotisserie chicken, pakora, and freshly baked naan are all part of the offerings.

This is a lifesaver on busy nights. Grab a tray of biryani and some naan, and dinner is mostly handled.

Pakora makes a great add-on for sharing. Crispy fried snacks have a way of vanishing before the groceries even get unpacked.

Fresh naan is worth grabbing even if you’re cooking at home. Warm bread makes any homemade curry feel more complete.

My advice is to shop first and visit the food counter last. Otherwise, half your cart might be snacks before you reach the produce.

Not that anyone would blame you. A samosa in one hand makes long grocery lists feel much shorter.

8. Sip Something Better Than A Vending Machine Soda

Karak chai, masala chai, and Madras coffee all appear on the drink lineup. That’s a strong trio for anyone who likes their cup bold.

Karak chai is a rich, strong tea popular in many Gulf countries. Masala chai brings warm spices, perfect on a chilly afternoon.

Madras coffee is a South Indian favorite. It’s a nice change from the usual drive-through cup.

Then come the refreshing options. Sugarcane juice and fresh coconut water are available, and both feel like small tropical vacations.

Sugarcane juice is naturally sweet and pressed from the cane itself. Coconut water is light and great after a long shopping trip.

I like the idea of grabbing a chai before tackling the aisles. A warm cup can make browsing a 50,000-square-foot store feel relaxed instead of rushed.

On a hot summer day, the coconut water might win instead. Either way, your shopping trip gets a delicious pit stop.

9. Plan Your Trip To Boston Post Road

That quick grocery stop might take longer than expected. Especially when fresh samosas and a packed produce section are part of the shopping experience.

Farmer’s India Market has plenty to explore, so setting aside extra time for a first visit is a smart idea. Between the butcher counter and the food selection, it’s easy to spend longer browsing than planned.

The atmosphere adds to the experience. Busy aisles bring plenty of activity, while the aromas of fresh vegetables and cooking food make the shopping trip feel a little more interesting.

Parking is another plus. The spacious lot makes arriving and loading groceries easier, especially when you’re stocking up on heavier items.

Doors open daily at 9 a.m., though it’s worth confirming the closing time before heading over. The schedule offers flexibility for shoppers fitting errands around work or school.

The market operates at 100 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477, a convenient stop for people coming from New Haven or Bridgeport.

Reusable shopping bags are worth bringing, along with a cooler if you’re planning to purchase meat and have a longer drive home.

Just don’t expect to rush through every aisle. With so much to browse, even a simple grocery run can become a longer outing.