Gurpreet:

Okay, we’re finally ready to move on from this corner and continue walking back towards 51st avenue, where Part 1 of the tour started.

For those of you who are continuing from part 1, it may seem like we just ate Gulab jamans at Himalaya Restaurant. But who can say no to some more Indian food and drinks? And if you missed out on the first half, and are just joining in now, we can enjoy some treats together.

Let’s walk south away from 49th Ave to our next stop, All India Sweets. Coincidentally, at this time, all of the jewelry shops are on this side of the street. We’ll be walking by a few of them now. Don’t worry, we’ll be talking about jewelry in a few minutes, and visiting a couple of the shops as well.

As we continue, just past Nurmahal Fashions is where you will find All India Sweets.

Prior to the new building going up across the street, All India was actually located right on the corner of 49th and Main, where Tim Hortons is now. They moved to the current location about 4 years ago. The current owner, Steve Ram, bought the business about 10 years ago and had a difficult decision to make when the new development project was started. Thankfully, he decided to keep the business in the Punjabi Market as it had become a staple there since first opening in the 1970s.

One thing that Ram says he learned quickly after he bought All India is that the restaurant is not just a business. Its meaning to the community, and its meaning to so many individual people is what Ram hopes to share with every dish he serves.
In 2013, All India received a Vancouver Heritage Foundation Places that Matter plaque. Ram said that despite the decrease of businesses in the market, the spirit of the community is still very much alive. And he was reminded of that when All India had to relocate. When he announced the original building was to be torn down, Ram was overwhelmed by the reaction from the community. “The amount of support and the amount of people who cared was just amazing and it’s what makes what we do fun”, he said.

All India is known for its vegetarian buffet and for also serving food from different regions in India. So head on in and tingle your taste buds with some delicious chai and samosas, which may just be one of the most perfect food combinations in the world.

(Music Interlude)

Founded by Mudan Lal Nanda and MrigneshNanada in1985, H C jewelers, formerly High Class Jewelers is North America's leading Indian jewelry store.Specializing in custom 22 karat gold bangles, chain,. earrings, diamond engagement ring, Bridal jewelry kundan and polki sets, and other precious gems.

Jewelry making is a family legacy for the Nanda family. At the age of 16, Prekesh Nanada started learning the art form. In 1984, he immigrated from India to Vancouver, and gained employment at Bharti Art Jewelers. By 1985 he had saved up enough money to open up his own shop, Punjabi Modern Jewelers. Him and his father Mudan Lal ran the store from its very beginnings. Unfortunately, this shop was destroyed by a fire in 1988 and in 1989 the family moved the business into its current location.

Gulzar Nanda, who is the chair of the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective, started helping his father at the shop as early as nine years old, and continues to extend the legacy of his family today. The place where Gulzar spent his childhood is now his place of employment, as he manages the store with his mother Seema. Customers are welcomed by a family with a rich history in the business, and a love for connecting with people through jewelry.

Here to say hello to everyone is Seema Nanda.

Seema Nanda:

I came to Canada in July 1988, and one day I went with my friend to the clothing shop. I started work in December 1988 at the High Class Jewelers, and it's all new for me. It’s like I have no work experience or anything. So my father-in-law, Mudan Lal Nanada, He started to teach me, like how to help customers, and what gold is and how the prices of the gold works, and my husband, he also tried to teach me to work with the clients. I learned to make umm, like, men's rings, Ladies rings.

A lot of businesses have left the Punjabi market, but we want High Class Jewelers to stay here because I have lived in this neighborhood since I first came to Canada. I raised my kids here. I made my friends here. This place is home to me and it's home to all Punjabis.
I can't let those memories to go. They mean too much to me.

(Music Outro)