Ashirvad General Stores

Life at Ashirvad General Stores usually starts with the sound of scooters zooming past on 5th A Cross. Being here in Manjunatha Layout means there is always someone walking by, even if they are not coming inside. I spend most of my mornings checking the milk crates and making sure the packets are not leaking. Bangalore mornings can be a bit chilly sometimes, but the shop warms up once the sun hits the front door. We have these tall shelves that reach almost to the ceiling, and I often have to use a little plastic stool to reach the top rows. It is a bit cramped in here when more than three people walk in at once, but we manage. I keep the register near the entrance so I can see who is coming and going. Sometimes the delivery trucks get stuck in the narrow lane, and there is a lot of honking while we unload the sacks of rice. I try to keep the biscuits near the front because people always grab those on impulse. The floor needs sweeping twice a day because of all the foot traffic. It is not a big operation, just a regular shop in a busy part of the city. I find myself counting coins more often than anything else. By the time evening rolls around, the streetlights come on and the vibe changes. It is just me and the hum of the refrigerator in the back until I finally close up for the night.