Artisanal homegrown brands, exotic ingredients and organic produce have been topping the list of priorities for conscious shoppers in the city. For those seeking a truly global gourmet shopping experience, The Origin, a brand-new addition to Khar’s Linking Road may be worth a dekko. The brainchild of Bawa Group of Hotels and Anusaya Future Fresh, the store offers an assortment of pantry staples, fresh produce, condiments, bakes, healthy snacks and more, sourced both locally and from choice international producers. The premises also house a food studio, a gifting space, and a café. 

We decide to stop by on the eve of the store’s launch and are immediately taken by the all-green façade. The artificial turf-clad patio harbours a fresh sugarcane juice stand. The store is laid out in themed sections for easy browsing. The namesake in-house brand catches our eye, and we are informed that the label offers artisanal baked goods, honeys, teas, coffees, dry fruits, and spices. The store accords great emphasis on experiential and personalised shopping, with the store manager explaining that each shopper will be accompanied by a personal assistant to guide him/her through the visit — the assistant’s role will include inviting shoppers to sample products, explaining the origins and specialities of some of their rarer finds (eucalyptus honey or blooming flower tea, for instance) or even billing purchases on the go (there’s no cash register to make for a seamless experience). The store is vegetarian and has paid attention to the demands of vegan shoppers with a selection of mock meats and mylks.