Tulsi Indian Grocery has one mission: to bring the best ingredients from around the world to its customers. "With a wide variety of authentic regional ingredients, we strive to reconnect people with the familiar flavors of India," according to the partners who own the business, which opened its Hacienda location to the public in March 2022.

"Due to the recent influx of a more geographically diverse population, there has been a surge in the demand for specialized products in the Tri-Valley area," says Founder Umang Kathrani. "Tulsi Indian Grocery offers an array of traditional and authentic Indian cuisine. We founded Tulsi Indian Grocery with the goal of providing authentic Indian food items to the Asian and local communities in the Tri-Valley, inspired by a desire to share the vastness of the Indian repertoire. With a rich history behind it, Indian cuisine speaks for itself. It is what inspires our culture and unites us together. Food is what educates and exposes new generations to India's regional diversity and cultural uniqueness."

"Our culture brings a lot of different varieties of food, a lot of different tastes and flavors and delicacies from across the region," agrees Gaurang Ray, one of the partners in the business. "A lot of Indian and South Asian families are moving to the Tri-Valley. We try to cater to those communities and to local residents with fresh produce as well as organic, non-GMO items at low prices."

The new store carries an estimated 4,500 products. That includes nearly 600 different spices. Spices are key to the distinct tastes found in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and other regions with historic cuisines built on delicious spice combinations. Tulsi is more than a specialty retailer, however. In addition to fresh produce and spices, it also carries most grocery staples including milk, cheese, and butter; frozen foods; baby formula; and toiletries. Tulsi Indian Grocery also features a fast food counter.

"We aspire to be good, do good, and spread goodness," notes Kathrani. "To meet our customers' shopping needs, we take a high customer-centric approach."

The business owners have a broader customer base than Tri-Valley families. The store includes a wholesale department that offers quality products at a lower cost than typical suppliers to restaurants and similar businesses, according to Ray. He encourages interested Hacienda tenants to reach out to Tulsi if they are interested in exploring Tulsi's wholesale selection.

Tulsi Indian Grocery is located at 4555 Hopyard Road. The store has 10 employees, and is open every day between 9 am and 9:30 pm. Free delivery service is offered in Pleasanton and Dublin. The store owners pride themselves on the store's weekly specials, which reflect the season and special events. The grocery store also participates in the California Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program called SNAP by accepting SNAP benefit cards for payment. 

"Our store is for every section of the community who would like to get quality food, quality produce, and quality items for their family," says Ray. "Everybody is welcome, and will most likely find whatever they need."

For more information about Tulsi Indian Grocery, please visit tulsiindiangrocery.com or www.facebook.com/tulsindiangrocery or call 925-913-8008.