Vishal Store Kirana Merchant

This shop, Vishal Store Kirana Merchant, is located at 690 Gangori Bazar. If you have been to this part of town, you know it is crowded and the lanes are narrow, but that is where all the action is. I spend most of my day surrounded by big sacks of grain and the strong smell of spices. It is a kirana business, so we deal with all the kitchen essentials. The walls of the shop are old, and the wooden counters have seen better days, but they have served us well for a long time. I have lived around here my whole life, so the people coming in are mostly friends and long-time neighbors. We do not really do any advertising; people just know we are here at number 690. Sometimes the rain leaks a little near the back door, and I have to move the flour bags quickly. It is part of the struggle of running an old shop in a busy bazaar. I take pride in knowing which pulse is which just by looking at it. My son helps out after his college classes, though he often wants to change how I keep the books. I prefer my old handwritten register. It is a loud, busy place with rickshaws constantly honking outside, but once you step inside, it is just the usual business of weighing and packing. We have been here through many seasons, and we plan to stay right here in Gangori Bazar for as long as we can.