"We keep everything in small quantities," Bhatia says. "We are always eating the same foods, so we know exactly what is required in the kitchen."

A lot of the goods in the store are taken home to make meals, such as lentils and vegetables. The small store with three narrow aisles also sells soaps, beverages, cookbooks, jewelry and a selection of Indian DVDs and VHS tapes, available to buy or rent.

Debra Tippeconnic recently became the new owner of Ciao Italia, 111 N. Butz St. Inspired by a love of cooking, Tippeconnic expanded the store's offerings, adding catering and broadening lunch and dinner options.

The market provides select products such as olive oil, pasta, sauces and cheeses. Fresh pasta is made regularly and on Saturdays there are home made breads.

Many of the market's goods come from within the state, but some travel from Italy, which appeal to the shoppers.

"A lot of students from Philly, Pittsburgh and New York are like, 'oh, this is just like the deli I have around the corner at home,' " Tippeconnic says.

The appeal of getting unique goods is what motivated Tim Tran and Becky Vuong, husband and wife and co-owners, of Far Corners Asian Market, 1101 N. Atherton St, to expand their store.

Fresh vegetables, including bitter melon and Chinese eggplant, now arrive twice weekly.

"We are the largest Asian market within 100 miles." Tran says. "Some people travel from as far as Clearfield and DuBois to come here."

Many of the products are from overseas. One side of an aisle stocks noodles that arrive from all over the world, including Japan, China and Korea.

"The taste and the texture are different," Tran says. Another fridge is devoted to dozens of kinds of tofu. Wandering down the end of a wide, well-lit aisle, Tran passes a display of different kinds of miso from Japan. He estimates that about half of the products are imported.

Many owners said they did not consider larger supermarkets to be their competition. By providing different goods and broader variety, storeowners said they were able to create a niche market.

Additionally, Tran and Vuong, among other owners, said that, in helping customers, their store has a more personal feel where ideas about recipes and ingredients can be shared.