Mangal Kirana Store

Mangal Kirana Store is right in the heart of the Kota Subji Mandi. Being in the vegetable market means it’s always loud and crowded, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We get here very early in the morning when the trucks are still unloading their crates. There is a certain smell to the air in the Mandi, a mix of fresh produce and dust. Our store is packed with all sorts of things people need for their kitchens like spices and grains. We don't have much room to move around inside, but we know where everything is kept. It’s a busy life, constantly weighing things and bagging them up for customers. We talk to hundreds of people every day. Some are in a huge rush, others want to chat about the weather or the price of onions that week. We just keep our heads down and serve whoever is next in line. It’s hard work on your feet all day long, but it’s what we do. We’ve been in the Subji Mandi for years and we know all the other vendors nearby. It feels like a big family, even when everyone is shouting. We don't need a fancy office or a computer to run things. We use a ledger and our heads. It’s an old-fashioned way of doing business, but it works for us here in Kota. If you want some groceries, you just find us.