Y A M Kirana & General Store

Y A M Kirana & General Store is tucked away in Ali Colony, near the big Bargad Ka Paid in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow. That banyan tree is a real landmark for us and provides some good shade during the harsh summer months. We are located in Radha Gram, which is a fairly quiet residential spot. This is a kirana and general store, so we stock the usual household goods. We have everything from laundry soap to cooking spices. The shop is small and sometimes smells like a mix of all the different spices we have in open sacks. Children from the colony often come in with a few coins to buy small treats after school. We know their parents and often their grandparents too. It’s a family-run kind of place where things are done simply. We don't have a big fancy sign, just a small one that's been there for years. The floor is made of old stone and the shelves are a bit uneven, but they do the job. We spend a lot of time weighing out items for people who only want a small amount of something for their cooking. It’s much more personal than those big supermarkets in the city center. We don't follow any strict rules, we just open up in the morning and stay until the last customer leaves in the evening. It’s a steady life and we are happy to be a part of this community near the Baraf Khana.