Annapurna Store

We run the Annapurna Store at 8 Tiljala Lane in Kolkata. It’s a narrow lane, so you have to be careful if you’re bringing a car down here. The store has been here for a long time, and the building itself is even older than the shop. We keep a variety of things on the shelves, though it might look a bit messy to an outsider. We know where every single item is kept, from the back corner to the top shelf near the door. My brother and I take turns behind the counter. We open up as soon as the sun is up and stay open until the street lights come on in the evening. It’s a neighborhood shop, so we see the same people every day. We talk about the weather, the local news, or whatever else is going on in West Bengal. The wooden floorboards have a lot of character and a few scratches from moving heavy crates around. We don't have a computer system for the stock; we just use a notebook and a pen like we always have. There’s a small fan behind the counter that helps a bit when it gets humid. We don't try to compete with the big supermarkets. We just provide what the local folks need and keep things honest. If someone is short a few rupees, we usually just catch them next time they come in. That’s just how things work here.