Rani Stores

Rani Stores is right in the middle of Kadamtala Bazar. If you are in Natagarh or the 700113 part of Kolkata, you have probably seen us. The bazaar is always a bit chaotic with people buying fish and vegetables, and my store is right there in the mix. I sell a bit of everything, mostly stuff for the home and some clothes. The shop is narrow and deep, so it gets a bit dark in the back. I have one lightbulb that hangs from a wire in the center. I spend my day talking to the other shopkeepers in Kadamtala while waiting for customers. Kolkata is a humid place so I keep the fan running all the time. The shelves are packed tight because space is hard to find in the bazaar. I have things hanging from hooks on the ceiling too. Sometimes I have to move three things just to get to one. It’s not a polished shopping mall experience. It’s just Rani Stores. I’ve lived in Natagarh for years and know most of the people who walk by. I keep my accounts in a red book that sits on the desk. The floor is made of old tiles that are cracked in a few places. I don’t mind it. It feels like home to me. Every morning I open the shutters and start the day. It’s just how life goes here in the bazaar.