It was the end of an era on April 30, 2025. For the locals in Burlington, Massachusetts, the news hit like a punch to the gut—Raja & Rana’s Indian Market was closing its doors for good. Honestly, if you grew up around Cambridge Street, that little shop was more than just a place to grab a bag of Basmati or some extra-hot chili powder. It was a landmark.
Basically, the town's original Indian grocer has been replaced by a Brazilian food store. It’s a classic story of changing times, but for owners Ashwin and Parul Rathod, it was a hard-fought battle against a shifting retail landscape.
The spot at 232 Cambridge Street has a lot of history. Long before the Rathods moved in, it was Dale Pharmacy, Burlington’s very first drugstore, dating all the way back to 1957. Around 2005, Dharmesh Rana and his partner took over the space, branding it as Raja & Rana's. They were also running a restaurant nearby, but that venture eventually folded.
Enter the Rathods.
They were Indian immigrants who had been running a country store in New Hampshire. They were tired of selling cigarettes and lottery tickets—Ashwin has been quoted saying he felt like he was "selling poison." So, they bought Raja & Rana’s, moved to Billerica, and kept the name. They were so humble (and frugal, let’s be real) that they didn't even bother updating the business cards. For years, the cards still listed the old owner who had moved to Florida.
Why Raja & Rana's Indian Market Couldn't Hold On
You’ve probably seen the massive Apna Bazaar in Woburn or the other big chains popping up near Burlington High School. That was the death knell. A decade ago, the market was pulling in roughly $1.4 million in annual revenue. By the time they decided to close, that number had cratered to about $350,000.
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You can't pay the bills on those numbers. Not when the cost of electricity and rent is climbing every single month.
Ashwin Rathod, a former powerplant engineer from India and Canada, found himself in a tough spot. He couldn't just retire because of his work visa requirements. He actually needs to own a business in the U.S. for a couple more years to satisfy those rules, or he faces the risk of being sent back to Canada.
It’s a stressful situation.
There's also a deeper social layer here that people don't talk about much. Rathod noted that business slowed down significantly because some regular customers—specifically undocumented immigrants—became afraid to come out and shop. They were worried about ICE presence in the area. While you might not notice that in the fancy suburbs, for a small "mom and pop" shop like this, it’s a massive hit to the daily bottom line.
The Swad Connection and the Larger Brand
A lot of people get confused between the local Burlington market and Raja Foods, the massive corporation behind the SWAD brand. They aren't the same thing, though they share the name. Raja Foods is a $140 million behemoth started by the Patel family (the same folks behind Patel Brothers).
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The Burlington shop was the local, gritty, authentic version.
When you walked into Raja & Rana's, you weren't getting a corporate experience. You were getting:
- Bags of popping lotus seeds (phool makhana) that were actually fresh.
- The kind of frozen palak paneer that didn't taste like cardboard.
- Samosas that were probably too cheap for how good they tasted.
The shelves were crowded. The lighting wasn't always great. But they had the specific spices you couldn't find at Wegmans or Stop & Shop.
The Reality of Ethnic Grocery Competition
The "Indian Market" niche is getting crowded. Big chains like Patel Brothers and Apna Bazaar have massive procurement power. They can sell a 20lb bag of Ashirvaad Atta for less than what a small shop like Raja & Rana’s pays for it wholesale.
It's the Walmart effect, just for the Desi community.
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People want convenience. They want big parking lots and brightly lit aisles. Raja & Rana's had a tight entrance and that old-school pharmacy layout. It was charming to some, but to a younger generation of shoppers, it felt cramped.
What You Can Learn from This
If you're a fan of local ethnic markets, the "use it or lose it" rule is very real. When these places go, they're usually replaced by something more generic or a different ethnic niche entirely, like the Brazilian market that took over this spot.
Actionable Steps for Supporting Local Markets:
- Check the Expiration Dates: Small shops sometimes have slower turnover. Always peek at the back of the shelf for the freshest spices.
- Ask for Recommendations: Owners like the Rathods know their inventory. If you want the best mango pickle, ask them which one they eat at home.
- Buy the Bulk Items: Spices, lentils, and rice are where these shops make their margin. Buying your 10lb bags of basmati here instead of a big-box store keeps them alive.
- Try the Snacks: Most of these shops have a "hot case" or a fridge with fresh samosas or dhokla. That's pure profit for them and a great lunch for you.
The loss of Raja & Rana's Indian Market is a reminder that even long-standing community staples are vulnerable. If you're looking for Ashwin these days, he’s likely searching for a liquor store or a convenience store to buy so he can finish out those last two years of his visa. It’s a grind, but for many immigrant entrepreneurs, it’s the only way forward.
Support your local shops before they become another "retro" memory on a local history blog.