Lila Stores

Lila Stores is situated on Duttabad Road in Kolkata, not too far from the Laboni Bus Stand. It's a handy location because people waiting for their bus often realize they need a small thing and pop in for a minute before their ride arrives. The shop is quite small, but we try to make the most of the space we have. We’ve got shelves reaching all the way to the ceiling, filled with all sorts of general goods and provisions. Sometimes I have to use a small stool to reach the items at the top. It’s a family-run business, so you’ll usually see one of us behind the counter. We don't have any big signs or flashy lights outside to draw attention. People mostly find us because they live nearby or use the bus stand regularly. The area can get a bit muddy during the monsoon, so we are always mopping the floor to keep it decent. We sell things like matches, milk, and basic groceries. It isn't a place where you'd spend an hour looking around, but it’s good for getting what you need quickly. We've seen many shops in the area open and close over the years, but we just keep going. The neighborhood around Duttabad Road has changed a lot, with new buildings coming up, but our little shop stays pretty much the same. We just focus on keeping the stock replenished and talking to our regulars every day while the buses go by.