Gift & Novelties

I’ve been running this little shop for a while now. It’s right across from Jagran Public School here in Viraj Khand. If you’re in Gomti Nagar, you’ve probably seen the sign. Most days it’s just me here, surrounded by all sorts of knick-knacks and gift items that people pick up on their way home. The morning starts early when the school buses arrive and the kids start making a racket. It’s a busy spot, really. D-1/200 is where we are tucked in. I keep things pretty simple. There isn't a lot of space, so stuff is packed onto the shelves from floor to ceiling. You find all kinds of novelties here, some things you didn’t even know you needed until you saw them. People stop by to look for a birthday card or maybe a small toy. Sometimes parents come in while they wait for their children to finish classes. It gets a bit crowded during the afternoon rush. I try to keep everything organized, but with so many small items, it’s a bit of a challenge. I’ve lived in this part of Lucknow for years, so I know most of the faces that pass by. It’s not a big fancy showroom or anything like that. Just a local shop where we try to have a bit of everything for the neighborhood. It gets quiet in the late evening, which is when I finally get to sit down for a bit and look over what needs restocking for the next day.