NJ’s grocery store in Lake Leelanau has a secret ingredient that is commonplace among locals and a unique destination for those looking for a change of pace with its delicious Indian food.
Regani Punheni, otherwise known as “Rosie” has become the master in the kitchen after she came to Leelanau County in 2005.
Punheni is originally from northern India near New Delhi.
Her brother, Sam, moved here first, and eventually became owner of NJ’s.
It quickly became a family store when her sister-in-law, and nephews started working at the local grocery store.
Rosie and her sister-in-law Reena Chugh began cooking food, mostly for family at first.
Eventually, patrons couldn’t stop asking about the fragrance that coated them when walking into NJ’s.
“My sister-in-law always offered them food. So when they tried the food, they said ‘this is very delicious food’ … So my sister-in-law started making a little more than for family, and she started putting it out and giving people a sample,” Rosie said. “Then slowly because there is more demand my sisterin- law called me to come over and help her make food.”
After her sister-in-law started slowing down, Rosie began making more and more.
Eventually, Rosie would be asked to make new dishes, especially with chicken, bread, vegetables, and samosa.
“More people ask, the more we start cooking and then we start expanding,” Rosie said. Summer is non-stop for Rosie as most days start at 10 a.m. and go until 9 p.m.
“I really love it. Cooking is my passion … I love to serve food to people. It gives me satisfaction when people enjoy the food,” she said.
People on the peninsula go crazy for chicken tikka, chicken curry, chicken butter, chicken peas, spinach and cheese, among many other delicious dishes.
“Lots of chicken dishes keep moving,” Rosie said. “I try to keep making these dishes all the time … They are always in demand.”
In January, Rosie gets a chance to catch her breath somewhat before the summer rush.
Rosie hasn’t been back to India since 2005, but one day she will go back to see family she dearly misses.
“In the beginning, every summer someone came to visit here, but now because of my daughter and nephew, they all are studying. It’s always when you move, you just want to settle everything down. Now they all are grown up, they are doing their jobs … So now we are planning to visit India,” Rosie said.
Rosie admits she loves where she is from and where she is at now, but it didn’t come without a few cultural changes.
“We live in big families, joint families (in India). Here, people are not living in joint families so much. That is a very big difference, which I feel here. Otherwise, culture is a little bit different, but I don’t think it’s a big difference,” Rosie said.
Rosie continues that everyone eats meat here, which is different from India.
NJ’s Grocery began way back when the town was called Provemont. At the time, the store was known as Plamondon & Belanger Dry Goods, before changing to NJ’s Grocery store. In 1918 the business was moved to its present location and has been in operation ever since. Today NJ’s Grocery is managed and operated by Raj Aneja and his family from India. The specialty of this business is that they have started an Indian style kitchen which has been a huge success in the area.
“Everyone is so nice and people are very friendly, very helpful,” Rosie said. “(Moving here) didn’t make a big difference when people are always welcoming you, giving you so much love and affection. We feel like a family here, and we also miss India. When you find good people, then you don’t miss your family that much … You only miss when you have not had a good experience here, then you feel lonely. But here we have very good friends, and family relations, so I’m happy.”
