By Angie Sullivan
The Udora General Store has long been a landmark for tourists travelling through the little hamlet of Udora, and for Georgina residents looking to enjoy an ice cream cone, grab snacks, and buy freshly baked goods.
Just this summer, the historic store undertook a major renovation and now serves a full takeout menu featuring Indian food, pizza and wings. That’s on top of the added refrigerated units to keep wine and beer cold.
Urshil and Payal Patel purchased the store on Oct. 28, 2021, taking on the historic business established in 1895. Since then, the couple and their family have worked to preserve its place in the community while finding new ways to keep it thriving.
Urshil Patel said, “We understood from the beginning that taking ownership meant more than running a business. It meant respecting the store’s heritage, honouring the memories and sentiments attached to it, and continuing to serve the people who had supported it for generations.”
For Payal, the expansion represents the realization of a long-held ambition.
“My dream was to share my food with our community,” said Payal. “Though it was a struggle, and cost us an exorbitant amount in permit fees, we didn’t give up, and finally it’s a reality.”
The journey from family kitchen to expanded food business began with the aromas drifting from the Patels’ home, located behind the store.
Customers would sometimes notice the smell of Indian cooking as they entered the shop. Payal had learned to cook Indian food from her grandmother, and the interest from customers inspired the family to start sharing those recipes.
They began on a small scale, offering Indian dishes and samosas. As interest grew, they rented kitchen space at the community hall to prepare larger quantities and serve more people. What began as a way to share family traditions gradually became an important part of the business.
For Udora resident Stacey Muhammad, the Indian food has become a particular draw.
“The homemade saag paneer has a rich flavour and is one of the best I’ve ever had!” Muhammad said.
The expansion now gives the family more room to build on that foundation, with pizza and wings joining the store’s food offerings.
Urshil Patel said that the decision to expand was also about securing the store’s future at a difficult time for the business.
Following Ontario’s expansion of alcohol sales opportunities for eligible convenience stores in September 2024, Urshil said, “Udora General Store experienced a customer decline of approximately 30 per cent.”
The downturn forced the family to reconsider how the business could remain viable. They had to decide whether to put their expansion plans on hold or continue investing despite the uncertainty. The family chose to move forward, believing that expanding their food offerings and introducing pizza and wings for takeout would give customers more reasons to visit.
Urshil Patel said, “We are grateful to the residents of Udora and the surrounding areas for welcoming our family and supporting our efforts. We thank our employees, Rachelle, Travis, Marnie, Brandan and Druvish, for standing beside us, and we appreciate the contractors and professionals who helped turn our expansion plans into reality.”
Takeout food at 9 Victoria Road, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Customers can order online at udorapizzaandwings.ca or call 705-228-8052.
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