By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
Olive May, a health food store at 255 Nassau St., is not preparing to close its doors, contrary to local rumors prompted by the establishment’s barren shelves and reduced inventory of natural foods and other products.
On the contrary, the store is planning a three-day “grand reopening event” starting April 25, according to General Manager Zahid Abro.
In an interview Monday, Mr. Abro — who goes by the nickname Jani, pronounced “Johnny” — said the dwindling merchandise and sparely stocked shelves are a function of the ongoing recession, which has hurt the store just like other Princeton businesses.
”We are having our share of pain,” said Mr. Abro, who has managed Olive May since February 2008.
Mr. Abro said the April event signifies Olive May’s intention to continue to serve the people of the Princeton area.
The event also represents an apology to store patrons and the community for Olive May’s condition, Mr. Abro said.
”We want to apologize to the people of Princeton because of our lack of inventory,” Mr. Abro said.
The reopening will be the culmination of an effort by Mr. Abro to raise fresh capital to run the business properly and fully stock the shelves at the store, which has been open since June 2007.
Mr. Abro said he remains fully confident in the store’s viability, especially once economic conditions return to normal.
Also affecting the store were some “corporate issues” having to do with the investors involved with the limited liability corporation that owns the Princeton location as well as an older East Orange store with the same name, Mr. Abro said.
At some point, two investors in the corporation pulled back some of their interest in the store.
A third investor, however, remains fully interested, despite the ongoing recession, in light of Mr. Abro’s enthusiasm.
”This business is sustainable,” said Mr. Abro, who wants to “make sure this business stays here” in Princeton.
Olive May employs 34 people.

