I Love my Shop with Eastern Temptations

Salama Abed's shop is nice and spicy

Describe your shop in a sentence.

It is an eastern culinary adventure with many temptations to tantalise your tastebuds.

What do you stock?

Essentially, this a spice and herbs shop. However, we stock a wide variety of rice from basmati to jasmine and an extensive range of lentils, rotis, home-made masalas, marinades and savouries. We have a wide variety of incense and a limited range of eastern sweets and teas.

What makes your shop unique?

It is the only spice shop that serves a cosmopolitan community and surrounding suburbs, from the budding chef to the connoisseur. If we don't stock an ingredient, we will source it.

Do you make any of your products?

No, our rice and spices are imported, and the balance is sourced locally. We support a few home industries by selling their home-made products.

Do you have any specials?

We have monthly specials. We also offer special services; we assist customers to source ingredients for a meal they want to create, and we help them create dishes by giving them guidelines and recipes.

Describe your customers.

We have been blessed to meet an eclectic mix of people from all walks of life.

Do you have a signature item?

Rice and spices. Our briyani pack is popular because all the ingredients except the fresh ones are pre-measured. We recommend it for beginners as it makes cooking briyani easier.

Who designed your shop?

The previous owner, but it is evolving. We have added shelves and re-designed the floor layout.

How long has the shop been open?

Two years and eight months.

Are there any other branches of your shop?

Not yet, but it's a thought we're entertaining.

What did you do before this?

I was a stay-at-home wife and mom.

Tell us the story behind the name.

We bought an existing business, and continued with the same name. We improved on the previous business by stocking a better range of items from the Middle East to the Far East.

What is the soundtrack in the shop?

Music will distract from the experience of the aroma present in the store.

Where is it located?

35 Greenhill Road in Emmarentia, Johannesburg.