COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A new, family-owned Balkan grocery store opened its doors in Colonie on Sunday. Balkan Roots Market is located at 1892 Central Avenue in Colonie Plaza.
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The shop marks the only Balkan grocery store in the Capital Region. Owners and wife-husband duo Krisanthi Marra and Kristian Rrena moved to the United States from Albania in 2017 and decided to open the new business as a way to share their culture and traditions.
“The idea for Balkan Roots Market came from our desire to bring a taste of home to the Capital Region,” Marra told NEWS10. “We noticed that many people from the Balkans and surrounding regions had limited access to the products they grew up with, and we wanted to create a place where they could find familiar foods and flavors while also introducing those traditions to the wider community.”
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Balkan Roots Market offers a wide variety of products from across the Balkans, including traditional cheeses, cured meats, coffee, spices, pastries, ajvar, beverages and other specialty items from Albania, Greece, Turkey and other countries in the region. Marra said they have been overwhelmed by the community’s support.
“The reception so far has been incredible,” she said. “It was wonderful to meet so many people who were excited to have a Balkan market in the area, including both members of the Balkan community and customers interested in exploring new foods and cultures.”…