I was 25-years old when I took my first flight to the United States for a job opportunity that could help my family financially. I was surprised by how cold the winter was here, how no one walked except to exercise, how many people cars, I felt like I time traveled a few years into the future. Over the next few months, I was able to settle into my daily routine – job, getting acquainted with language accent, new friends, and whole new community. Life was different, and in a good way.

One of the notable events in my life was when I visited a local business. An employee approached me and talked about a leg brace that could help me with my Polio affected leg. Fast forward: I was fitted with a custom brace and able to stand and walk upright while carrying grocery bags in my two hands for the first time in my life. We all take small things for granted, but for me, being able to do this small thing was a miracle. Since then, my life has been better since I have the brace. To this day, I think of that person who approached me about the brace and consider him my God sent “Guardian angel”.

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Over the years, I have met a lot of great people, made friends, and am able to continue to support my family back in my home country. I met my wife Denise, got married and moved to the community of Canal Winchester thirteen years back so that we could live close to family. We were also blessed with our son, Teja who is in his senior year of high school. We are involved in our local church, New Life, and are especially close with our smaller Life Group, who have become our second family here.

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About Six years ago, I got the idea of building a business in the community that would be a gathering place for people and within that business I wanted to offer good products and services. Starting off was challenging with Covid, Engineering and Permit issues, and a few other setbacks, but as of this year, the idea has become reality with the help of family, friends, partners and the community. Sometimes I get scared, it’s real, the Market Place and Cafe is standing right here.

I realize there is a retail outlet, convenience store, or cafe in almost every corner of every community. So you may rightly ask how this new establishment is different. I am delighted to say, first off that we are locally owned and belong to this community where we live. We offer job opportunities right within our neighborhood. Many employees walk to work. Our actions reflect our values: (1) People first - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (2) Excellence in all we do - Whatever is true, honorable, just, commendable, worthy of praise & service, do those things (3) Stronger together - Two are better than One (4) It’s all about Yah! - thy Brand shall be my Brand, that is, live how Christ Jesus wants me to live – Love God and Love your neighbor. Our Mission statement is, To fuel our customers’ lives so they can go places and do better things. Just like my “Guardian Angel” did for me.

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Within less than 6 weeks, I have seen so much excitement in the store. On a daily basis we are reaching out to people – helping a stranger by giving them a ride late at night, providing a place to come on a rainy day or when the homes around us had no power, offering kind words when a customer says struggling with bad choices or even being able say we will pray for you and meaning it. These are things that we do to help build up our community. I am humbled by this opportunity because I fall short, stumble, and struggle, but when I need help, I have the support of family, Life Group and friends. I want to be that support to those in our community in any way I can. That is where I think our business makes an impact to build a stronger more connected community.

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This is my Story. I am Srini Kumbha, my wife is Denise and my son is Teja. We are the Kumbha family and we welcome you all to Kumbha-Yah Cafe and EV Market Place. The Grand Opening is scheduled for this Saturday August 26 from 10 am to 2 pm. Location: 4984 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester OH 4310. We are looking forward to seeing and serving you EVeryday.

 

God Bless you.

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By the way, Kumbha-Yah comes from my last name and is a word play from that well known camp song. EV is for Ekalavya Ventures. Ekalavya being my tribe’s name. Now you know.