Sugam General Store

You can find me on Maruthakonar Street in Velandipalayam. The shop number is 1700. It’s a simple building with a plain concrete floor that I sweep every morning. I spend most of my day here at Sugam General Store. It’s mostly just groceries and basic household things. We have a lot of plastic buckets hanging from the ceiling hooks to save some space on the floor. It looks a bit funny to some people, but it works well for us. People come in for salt, spices, and the basic things they ran out of while cooking. I don’t use a fancy cash register, just a wooden drawer with a lock that’s a bit sticky. The walls were white once, but now they’re more of a dull cream color from all the years. Coimbatore has some nice days, but when it rains, the water splashes near the front door, so I have to keep moving the sacks of flour back to keep them dry. I have a small radio that plays old film songs quietly in the background. It helps pass the time when no one is around in the middle of the afternoon. My neighbors are good people; they often stop by just to say hello even if they aren't buying anything that day. I’ve been behind this counter for so long that I can find most things even if the power goes out. It’s a lot of standing, and my legs get tired by the end of the day. But it's okay. It’s my own place, and I know everyone who walks through the door.