Ekta Store

Our shop is over at Surajpole Venketshwar Mandir 147. Being near the temple means we see a lot of people coming and going for prayers. We keep a bit of everything on the shelves, from soap and pulses to the small things you realize you forgot at the last minute. The space is a bit cramped because we try to fit as much stock as possible so nobody leaves empty-handed. My family helps out with the accounts and the heavy lifting. We know most of the neighbors by their first names or just by what they usually buy on a Tuesday. It’s a quiet enough spot compared to the main roads, but we stay steady. Sometimes the delivery truck blocks the narrow lane and we have to move things quickly to let cars pass. We don't do any big advertising or have a website. People just know where we are. If the light is on, we are open. We spend a lot of time dusting the jars and re-arranging the biscuit packets. The floor is old stone and it’s seen a lot of feet over the years. We keep a stool by the door for the older folks to sit on while we pack their bags. It isn't a supermarket, just a local store where you can get your daily supplies and have a quick chat about the weather. We close up once the temple bells stop ringing for the night.