They moved to Canada seven years ago for a better life, but the owners of a Nanaimo corner store say they’re now considering moving back to India due to rampant crime, drug use and street disorder.

Ravi Patel and his wife Sarita purchased Superette Foods at the corner of Albert and Milton Streets near the city’s downtown last November.

The building has housed some form of grocery store for more than a century, and Patel’s business is known for its low prices.

But since taking over, Patel said he’s had to raise prices due to repeated thefts.

“It’s getting tougher and tougher every day,” he told Global News.

Even with some 35 cameras watching the aisles, Patel said shoplifters are not deterred.

The couple said they will be adding more cameras and have already spent $20,000 to install a

See Full Page