Pitra Chhaya General Store

Our place, Pitra Chhaya General Store, sits right on Sumerpur Road along NH 14. Being on the highway is different from being in the middle of a town. You get a lot of trucks and people traveling long distances who just need a quick bottle of water or some snacks. Then there are the locals who live nearby and come for their daily milk and flour. The dust from the road is a bit of a problem, I have to wipe the jars and packets almost every hour. It’s a lot of work keeping things clean when the wind blows hard off the highway. We’ve got most of the regular grocery items stacked up on the back walls. I started this because there weren't many shops right on this stretch of Sumerpur Road. Sometimes it gets quiet in the mid-afternoon when the heat is too much for anyone to be out, so I just sit under the fan and check the inventory. I don't use any computer for the bills, just a pen and a notebook like I always have. It’s more reliable that way. People know they can find us here if they’ve forgotten something on their way home. We aren't doing anything fancy, just selling what’s needed to get through the day. The NH 14 traffic never really stops, so there’s always a light on here and someone ready to help you find what you need.