Laxmi General Store

Laxmi General Store is tucked away in the Madyaon area of Madiyawan here in Lucknow. It is a neighborhood where everyone seems to know everyone else. I have spent many years behind this counter watching the kids grow up and start coming in for their own groceries. The shop is filled with the smell of spices and the sound of the old ceiling fan that clicks every time it rotates. We have rows of jars filled with different candies and biscuits which the local children love. On the other side we keep the heavier stuff like rice and pulses in big sacks. The walls could use a new coat of white paint but I haven't gotten around to it yet. It is just a regular place where you can find a needle or a notebook without having to go all the way to the big market. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we have to use a torch to find the right brand of soap for a customer. We don't have fancy displays or bright lights. It's just a lot of shelves and a lot of small talk. Most mornings start with the milkman dropping off the crates and the rest of the day is just waiting for the next person to walk through the door. It's not a fast-paced business but it keeps us busy enough throughout the week, and we like the slow rhythm of the neighborhood.