New Liquor Store Offers Wide Selection, Friendly Service

Utkarsh Pandya used to run a machinery parts business in India. Now, he and his wife, Heena Valia, own Saimona Wine & Liquor on Summit Avenue.

The new store officially opened its doors in July but it's been a long time coming for Pandya.

About 10 years ago, Pandya was a silent partner with a friend who owned a liquor store.

"I thought 'This is a good business'," he said.

So five or six years ago he bought the liquor license from the City of Summit and had been looking for the perfect location ever since.

Pandya knew he wanted his store in Summit  and at the time, the vacancies were not as abundant as they are today and the rent was making his dream of owning a liquor store seem like an impossibility.

"I feel like I'm in Europe," he said of when he's in Summit. "It's a very nice town. This is where I wanted my store to be."

Pandya said while the store is open, he is still adding items to the inventory. Coming soon includes ice and higher-class wines. However, Pandya is open to requests.

He also plans to host wine tastings to create an experience for the shoppers.

"And so people can know before they buy," he said.