A ‘home-based’ grocery store being run out of a residential garage has prompted frustrated neighbours to write to local ministers in the hope of getting it shut down.
Kerala Spices Indian Groceries has been operating on Porter Street in Wright, west Canberra, since 2023.
Nearby residents have claimed the store is a ‘disruption to the community,’ while its owners insist the grocer is a ‘legal home-based business,’ Canberra Times reported.
A letter to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr from neighbour Prasad Abeyrathne described customers parking on the street and large trucks unloading goods, which he claimed could pose a risk to children playing on footpaths.
‘This business is now destroying the everyday life of its neighbours; it runs from 6:30am to 11:00pm,’ Dr Abeyrathne said.
‘Throughout the day, there is a continuous flow of traffic to the shop. Interestingly, the owner and the customers of this shop park their vehicles wherever they like.’
The small Indian grocer features racks of packaged foods as well as frozen goods, all squeezed into a single-vehicle garage.
State MLA Marisa Paterson responded to the letter on August 25 and promised to take the community’s concerns seriously.
A ‘home-based’ grocery store being run out of a residential garage has seen frustrated neighbours write to local ministers in the hopes of getting it shut down.
Kerala Spices Indian Groceries (pictured) opened on a Canberra residential street
Lincy Mathew, the owner of Kerala Spices Indian Groceries, slammed the accusations against her business as ‘false and baseless’.
She claimed trucks occasionally visit the street to deliver goods but only late in the evening.
‘We are a legal home-based business, operating for two-and-a-half years now. We have an ABN and have approval from the local council,’ Ms Mathew said.
Food businesses in the ACT are required to register with the Health Protection Service and follow safe food handling laws.
Registration is only granted after an official from ACT Health has inspected the premises.
It’s understood the grocer doesn’t have a registration certificate on display and Access Canberra is unable to comment on individual cases.
Home businesses are permitted to handle low risk food provided they do not exceed a production area of more than 40sqm or generate over five vehicle arrivals each day.
Daily Mail has contacted Paterson for comment.
A truck is pictured delivering supplies to the store
Angry neighbours have slammed increased traffic from the business (pictured, the outside of the grocer)
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Neighbours shocked as Indian grocery store opens up from garage on a quiet residential street in Australia