Bhoumik Variety Stores

Bhoumik Variety Stores sits right on the main road in the Biman Nagar area of Kaikhali. It is a busy spot, especially with all the traffic coming through this part of Kolkata. We started this place because we saw people needed a spot to grab their daily items without having to travel too far. The shop isn't very large, but we pack a lot into the shelves. From stationery for the school kids to kitchen basics like oil and salt, we try to stock what people ask for most. Dealing with the Kolkata humidity is always a challenge for keeping things fresh, but we do our best. Usually, it's just me or my brother working here. We know most of our regular customers by name now. It’s funny how you get to know what someone wants before they even ask. Sometimes the main road gets so noisy with the buses and cars that we have to shout a bit to hear the orders. We don't have a fancy computer system; we just use a notebook and a pen for the accounts. It's a simple way of working that has suited us for years. Being in Kaikhali means we see all sorts of people, from office workers to families living nearby. We just keep the doors open and wait for the next person to walk in. We might not have everything, but we try to help.