Twinkal and Hetal Rupareliya are the friendly faces who help some of Dubbo's newest residents feel at home.
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As they supply foods for Indian subcontinent cuisine, they lend a hand with advice and links for life in a new place.
The couple owns Rams International Grocery in Macquarie Street, which Mr Rupareliya reports is a first point of contact for many people moving to Dubbo.
The store's origins are in supplying products to people from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
It's expanded to include food from South Africa, Nigeria and other African countries and the Philippines as well, Mr Rupareliya reports.
His acumen saw him win outstanding young entrepreneur at the 2018 Dubbo Chamber of Commerce Rhino Awards.
On Friday night Mr Rupareliya, along with his wife, will attend the Western NSW Regional Business Awards, where he is a finalist.
The Rhino Awards trophy has pride of place at the shop's counter.
[The Rhino Award win] means a lot to us and we are thanks to all our customers who continue their support.
- Rams owner Twinkal Rupareliya
"It means a lot to us and we are thanks to all our customers who continue their support," Mr Rupareliya said.
The business is a success story not just for an individual but for a whole city.
Mr Rupareliya worked for the previous owner before he and his wife bought the store and worked to build it up and serve the needs of an increasingly multicultural city.
People from the Indian subcontinent needed basic grocery items, but previously had not been able to find them at Dubbo and always had to go to Sydney, he said.
Mr Rupareliya, who is also involved with the Orana Residents of Indian Sub-Continental Heritage (ORISCON) group, sees his business as having a wider role.
So we can say it's more than a business, it's a community sort of thing.
- Twinkal Rupareliya
"...because if someone is new, moving to Dubbo, their first point of contact is us, as far as I know, for the recommendation, or if they are looking for work, or any specific items..." he said.
"We also do volunteer work with ORISCON as well... and that way I can, if something we can not help, we can direct to ORISCON, that way they can get help.
"So we can say it's more than a business, it's a community sort of thing."
By the later afternoon, Rams International Grocery is a hive of activity.
"...between 4 and 6 people are usually finished their work and they come here, get their groceries... and while they are here they meet their friends and all of the families," Mr Rupareliya said.
"They have a bit of a catch-up kind of thing."
The businessman, originally from India, has embraced life in Dubbo, his home for the past seven years.
He would like to grow their business further.
...we are very happy because Dubbo community is very, very helping...
- Twinkal Rupareliya
"I'm very, very happy," he said.
"I have never seen community helping people like Dubbo.
"Yes, some ups and downs, but overall we are very happy because Dubbo community is very, very helping if you need any help, and if you ask someone, they're happy to help, and they've got time for us as well...
"So very happy, and hopefully we are looking forward to grow bigger, next year or so.
"We'll see how we go."
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Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
