Sri Narayana Stores

Our little shop is located right at 58/12 in Muvattupuzha, and it’s been a part of this Ernakulam neighborhood for quite some time. Sri Narayana Stores isn't a huge place, but we try to keep it stocked with all the basics people ask for. The humidity here can be a bit much, especially during the monsoon when the rain hits the roof so loud you can’t hear what the customers are saying. We spend our mornings opening up the crates and checking the produce. There’s always a specific smell of spices and dried goods in the air that stays with you. My kids sometimes help me move the heavier bags of sugar and salt when they aren't at school. We know most of the people who walk through the door by their first names. It’s the kind of place where someone might realize they forgot their wallet and we just tell them to pay tomorrow. The shelves are wooden and a bit worn out at the edges from years of use. We don't have any fancy displays or bright neon signs. It’s just us, some bags of rice, and the daily newspapers on the counter. In the evening, the street gets busy with people heading home from work, and that's usually our most hectic time. Once the sun goes down, we start winding things down and getting ready to do it all over again the next morning.