Shalu General Store

If you go down to Garha Bazar and look around the Baidra Mohalla area, you’ll find Shalu General Store. It’s an old part of Jabalpur, and the market here has a lot of history. My shop is nestled in among many others, and it’s been our daily spot for a long time. The building itself is quite old, with thick walls that stay a bit cooler in the summer, thank goodness. We sell a bit of everything, from spices and grains to plastic buckets and washing powder. It’s a bit of a jumble inside, and I’m always telling myself I need to organize the back room better, but there’s never enough time. The local ladies come in during the late morning after they’ve finished their chores, and the shop fills up with the sound of them talking and comparing prices. It’s a friendly place, but it’s also a lot of hard work. I’m usually on my feet from eight in the morning until late at night. The floor is uneven in some places, and the wooden counter is smooth from years of people leaning on it. We don't have any big mission or anything like that. We just try to make sure we have the things our neighbors need so they don’t have to walk too far. It’s a simple, practical way to spend the day in the heart of Garha.