By Eric Dama
The Norman Transcript

Those familiar with the International Grocery and Hookah Bar recently may have seen the store in a not-so familiar location.

International Grocery, owned and operated by Mohammad and Soroor Davani, is now located at 305 E. Main St., having moved from its previous address of 1305 Jenkins Ave. The new site was formerly Allard Cleaners.

Soroor said she and her husband moved the store, known for its rices, teas and spices, after the University of Oklahoma bought the property on Jenkins Avenue to make room for its new IT Store.

"We like our new location because there are a lot of stores around us," Soroor said. "There are more people coming to the stores on Main Street."

Customers also will no longer have to walk through the Hooka Bar to get to the grocery section, something Soroor said customers were wary about.

"Both shops are going to be individual stores. The design here is really good and really a lot more beautiful," Soroor said.

At its previous location near campus, International Grocery was mainly geared toward international students, but being on Main Street could broaden its customer base.

"This way we can be more open to everyone, both students and the people of Norman," Soroor said.

Aside from a new address, Soroor said a few expansion changes also can be expected to come with the move.

"We're going to add more than just groceries. We're going to have international things like tableclothes and pillowcases," Soroor said.

She and her husband also have plans to add tables and chairs so that people can have tea, a sweet or something light to eat while shopping.

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