Religious shop considers expanding to keep up with Williamsburg's growing South Asian community

The Morning Edition - K-W6:09CBC K-W's 'Communities in Focus' initiative highlights Williamsburg's growing South Asian community

The South Asian community in Williamsburg (a southwest Kitchener neighbourhood) has nearly doubled in size from 2016 to 2021 according to the most recent census data, and for our Communities in Focus initiative well be speaking to some people there about how its shaping that part of the city. 

The Puja Store isa religious shop in Williamsburg thatopened at the end of 2022 but is already talking about expanding their operation.

The owners say that business is booming, in part because the South Asian community in thisKitchener neighbourhood is continuingto grow.

"The South Asian community, which are one of our, I would say, the main customers those [people] are coming in this area in a big number," said Vaibhav Dixit, who opened the shop with his wife, Shivangi Pathak.

"The area is growing pretty fast," he said.

The Williamsburg Community Association says theboundaries of Williamsburg go from Fischer-Hallman Road to Trussler Road, east to west, and highway 8 to Huron Road, north to south.

In 2016, there were 2,455 South Asian residents in the neighbourhood,Statistics Canada data shows. That jumpedto 4,075 in 2021. The South Asian community makes up nineper cent of the overall population in Williamsburg.

The shop is arguably one of the most colourful spots in the region, selling religious gifts, artifacts, flowers and decorations, among other spiritual items for different South Asian andEast Asian religions.

"Our customer base in this area is pretty big," Vaibhav said. "When it's a [religious festival], the line-ups are outside of the street. It's a big line-up."

Williamsburg religious shop offers international products locally to growing South Asian community

5 months ago

Duration 1:39

Shivanga Pathak and her husband opened The Puja Store in the southwest Kitchener neighbourhood of Williamsburg in 2022. The store sells religious gifts, artifacts, and decorations among other things. Most of the products are imported from India and Pathak says it's important for South Asian community in Williamsburg to have a local store with these items so they no longer need to travel out of the city to get them. The store has been such a success that they are considering expanding.

Shivangisaid the area around them is going "so, so fast."

"Development is too fast. We are so happy," she said. "We live nearby so it's very easy and convenient for us to manage the things. I have two kids: one is five, one is 10 months old, so it's very easy for me to come here. That's why we chose this community."

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo has visitedWilliamsburg as part of the"Communities in Focus" initiative, which launched in March. Reporters havebeen speaking to residents, business owners and community leaders in order to understand what makes this neighbourhood tick.

Sports infrastructure for changing demographics

Sports infrastructure is continuing to be built to accommodate the changing demographics in the neighbourhood, too.

Williamsburg is home to the city's only permanent cricket pitch at RBJ Schlegel Park with more cricket amenities on the way. Bob Cheyne, Kitchener's director of sport, says that thishas to do with the growing South Asian population.

The cricket pitch was added as "a response to what we thought at the time was increased demand and interest in the sport," Cheyne said.

Cheynesaidcricket may be the fastest growing sport in the region, and to accommodate this, the city will be adding more amenities at RBJ Schlegel Park.

Construction on a new indoor recreation centre could begin next month if approved by council, and as part of the complex, there will be a cricket batting cage,Cheyne said. The new complex is expected to cost approximately$144 million.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo has been spending time in Williamsburg as part of our Communities in Focus initiative.

Members of our team will be at Max Becker Common in Williamsburg on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join CBC K-W at Earth Day Clean Up in the 'Burg!