After its move from Rainier Ave in May, Spice SPC has been adding new flavors to the Capitol Hill and Central District communities around its new location on E Madison. Started by Aditya Bajaj, Spice SPC is a social purpose Indian grocery store. The new shop has been receiving a warm response from the neighborhood as it stands across Safeway next to a big chain takeout pizza franchise.

“The new location has definitely helped us attract more customers, especially because it’s in a very accessible location from most parts of the city,” Bajaj said. “We were previously in a very isolated location, and so we moved to Capitol Hill.”

Spice SPC’s E Madison’s new grocery has seen many perks of shifting locations. Bajaj said that this has allowed them to introduce a small food menu serving Indian curries, rice, samosas, and fresh chai. He plans to soon expand the spread and include more snacks and beverages. For now, it is best to stop by on the weekends for the house creations. Despite the store being new to the neighborhood, Bajaj says that they’ve seen many customers coming their way, especially through word of mouth.

“Visibility has changed a lot,” Bajaj says. “We are right in between Safeway and Papa Johns, so people are actually noticing us now. And it’s given us the opportunity to actually introduce a kitchen, and sell fresh food.”

Bajaj initially started Spice SPC in 2021, with its first location just off Rainier. He felt that there was a lack of Indian grocery stores in the city, and that the existing ones weren’t as accessible for most people. He says that Spice SPC is organized as a social purpose corporation grocery store, recognized to pursue profits and social good in Washington state. He envisioned a space to sell fresh produce, snacks, and other Indian spices and grains.

Opening the store on E Madison had a fair amount of challenges, Bajaj says. He had to initially remodel the 1,000-square-foot space under Avant Apartments, and to build a kitchen for fresh food. Bajaj also spoke about facing problems with storage, and said that he isn’t able to restock items until most shelves run out, in order to place a bulk order of several items.

Seeing the positive response in the neighborhood, however, Bajaj is hopeful to see an increased interest for Spice SPC to serve Indian communities around the area and neighbors from nearby.

“Customers have expressed how convenient our location is, and that they don’t have to travel so far for Indian groceries,” he said. “That was the idea of relocating, so that we would be within reach, and that we could take the opportunity to establish an Indian grocery store in Capitol Hill.”

Speaking of the fresh food section, Bajaj says that it has helped add value to Spice SPC. The store sells curries, and beverages to go, freshly made in the built-in kitchen. They have started small, with a limited food menu and less staff.

“I want to spread our Indian culture to people on Capitol Hill, with authentic food and all that we can offer at Spice SPC,” Bajaj said. “I’ve been trying to do this since we first opened, and I will continue to invest my best efforts into creating a valuable experience for customers.”

Spice SPC is located at 2108 E Denny Way. Learn more at spicespc.com.

HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.

Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for as little as $5 a month.