Paul Variety Stores

Down here on M A Sarani in Kolkata, we have got our little shop called Paul Variety Stores. We are situated near the Bakra area, and it is a pretty lively spot to be in most of the time. We call it a variety store because we really do keep a little bit of everything in stock. You might find notebooks, pens, small toys for kids, or even some plastic buckets and mugs. It’s the kind of place where you stop because you suddenly realized you forgot something while you were at the big market. The space inside is a bit cramped, especially when we get our new stock in for the month, but we make it work. Kolkata weather can be a bit much with the humidity, so the shop feels like a bit of a relief when there is a breeze coming through. We don’t have a big staff here, just us and the family helping out when things get busy after the school hours are over. Kids come in a lot looking for small sweets or stickers. We try to keep the prices at a level where people can afford them without having to think twice. The shelves are old wood and probably could use a new coat of paint, but they hold everything up just fine. We aren't trying to be like a big supermarket. We just want to be the place around the corner.