Dhiraj General Store

Dhiraj General Store is over in Agripada, Mumbai. We are at Shop 14 in the B.I.T. Chowl on Red Cross Road. It’s very close to Nayer Hospital, so the area is always moving. In a place like Mumbai, space is always tight, and our shop is no different. We have things piled up high to make use of every inch. You can find everything from snacks and cold drinks to washing powder and tea leaves. Because we are near the hospital, we get a lot of people who are just passing through and need something quick. The noise from the street never really stops, and the humidity makes everything feel a bit sticky sometimes. We have a small wooden counter where we do all our work. It’s a simple setup. Most of our regulars live right here in the chowl, so we hear all the local news while we are bagging their groceries. We don't have any big marketing plans or a website. We just open the shutters in the morning and stay until late at night. Sometimes the delivery trucks block the road and it’s a mess, but we just deal with it. It’s just a small family-run store trying to keep the neighborhood supplied with their daily necessities. There is always someone coming in for a single egg or a small packet of masala.