Kumar Stores

I’ve been running Kumar Stores here in Meena Bazar for quite a while now. It’s right in the middle of Maharaj Ganj, so it stays pretty loud with all the rickshaws and people walking by in Gulzarbagh. Patna heat can be a lot, but the shop stays mostly cool inside with the old ceiling fan rattling away. I start my day early, pulling up the shutters and dusting off the plastic jars. Most days, it’s just me and maybe a boy who helps carry the heavier sacks. We have everything piled up high because the space isn't huge. You’ll find soap, lentils, and those little packets of biscuits that the kids always want. Sometimes the supply truck is late and I have to explain that to the regulars who come by every morning. It’s a simple place. The floor is a bit worn out from all the feet coming in and out. I know most of the people who live around here by their faces, if not their names. They stop to tell me about their day while I’m weighing out sugar or looking for a specific brand of tea they like. It isn't anything fancy, just a regular shop where we try to keep what people need for their kitchens. Sometimes I forget where I put the smaller items, so I have to poke around the back shelves with a flashlight. That's just how it goes here. I usually close up when the sun goes down.