At first, Mr. Sinha only sold a small selection of goods from India, such as lentils and spices, but he expanded his offerings over the years to include products from the Middle East and South Asia, as well as Mexico, England and Australia.

By the time current co-owners Mohammed Alam, 52, and Hakim Khan, 64, bought New Foods of India from Mr. Sinha in 2012 (Mr. Sinha still owns the building), there were more than 50 kinds of teas from around the world, at least 10 varieties of basmati rice, including aged and extra-long, and well over 70 types of lentils. Several shelves in the front are filled with hot sauces and pickles, while others offer Indian toiletries such as sandalwood soap and coconut hair oil.

There also sell homemade rotis, made by Indian women in Queens. Using their own kitchens, the women make the flatbreads daily — fenugreek, potato, plain and corn are among the options — and then deliver the rotis to the store. The same women also make Indian sweets, called mithais, which you can find behind the glass case near the door.