A new family-run convenience store has opened in downtown Sarnia, shaped by decades of lived experience across continents and guided by feedback from the local community.
Roma Mart opened on November 28, 2025, at 3-189 Wellington Street, offering a mix of Canadian and international groceries, everyday essentials, and café beverages through its in-store Ro Café.
The business is owned and operated by Mohammed and Roma, alongside their children Faizan, Shaiz, Raaida, and Adyan. While the store itself is based in Sarnia, its creation was a collaborative effort that stretched across borders and time zones.
“My parents are originally from India, but they spent nearly 30 years living in Saudi Arabia, where they built their lives, raised us, and created a strong sense of home and community,” said Raaida, who manages communications and social media for the store while living in London, Ontario.
When the family made the decision to immigrate to Canada, Sarnia stood out.
“Choosing Sarnia was very intentional,” Raaida said. “It closely resembled the environment we had grown to love in Saudi Arabia. Calm, welcoming, and community-focused. More than anything, it simply felt like the right place for us as a family.”
Faizan, who has lived in Canada for several years, manages the day-to-day operations of Roma Mart in Sarnia. His twin brother Shaiz, who lives in Poland and works as a physician, played a key role in developing the store’s systems and operational structure from abroad.
“Despite the physical distance, Shaiz played a huge role in building Roma Mart from the ground up alongside my parents,” Raaida said. “Together, Shaiz and Faizan built the store’s system and operational structure that make Roma Mart function the way it does today.”
Adyan, the youngest member of the family, supports the store’s daily operations behind the scenes.
“He plays a vital role in keeping the store running as efficiently as it does, taking care of the countless small details that often go unnoticed,” Raaida said.
The concept behind Roma Mart was influenced by the family’s experience living in Saudi Arabia, where independently owned convenience stores were a common feature in neighbourhoods.
“One thing that stood out to us was the wide variety of independently owned convenience stores in every neighbourhood,” Raaida said. “Those stores truly served their communities and became part of people’s everyday lives. That sense of accessibility and familiarity is exactly what we aim to achieve through Roma Mart.”
The store’s inventory reflects that philosophy. Roma Mart carries Canadian and international groceries, spices, grains, oils, snacks, sweets, cold drinks, halal meat and chicken, beauty and fragrance items, incense, household goods, disposable tableware, and everyday essentials. Additional services include ATM and Bitcoin access, package pickup and drop-off, and Ro Café, which offers fresh juice, smoothies, coffee and tea.
“Our inventory was shaped largely by listening to the people of Sarnia,” Raaida said. “Many shared what they felt was missing locally or what they personally wished they could find. We took that feedback to heart and did our best to serve those needs.”
Ro Café, located within the store, features drinks inspired by the family’s cultural background and personal recipes.
“My mother, Roma, personally crafted all the recipes and the full menu for Ro Café,” Raaida said. “Our karak chai, mango lassi, and freshly pressed juices are particularly close to our hearts and represent a blend of cultures, memories, and family effort.”
At this stage, Roma Mart is operated entirely by family members, with no external employees.
“We want to truly understand every aspect of the business from the ground up,” Raaida said. “We plan to hire as our customer base grows and operations become even smoother.”
Since opening day, the response from the community has been encouraging.
“The community response since opening has been incredibly heartwarming,” she said. “Even on our opening day, when we faced several technical difficulties, customers were kind, patient, and still returned afterward with excitement and encouragement.”
Looking ahead, the family plans to continue refining its offerings based on customer feedback, with a longer-term goal of expanding the Roma Mart concept across Southwestern Ontario.
“Our long-term dream is to grow Roma Mart into a franchised convenience store that serves locals in each city by filling their pantries with everyday staples customized to their needs,” Raaida said.
For now, the focus remains on establishing Roma Mart as a reliable neighbourhood stop in downtown Sarnia, built on family effort, cultural influence, and community connection.
Address: 189 Wellington Street, Unit 3, Sarnia, ON
Phone: (382) 342-2000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.romamart.ca
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
