Vijay General Stores

Vijay General Stores is right at Neharu Chowk in Shukrawar Peth. The shop number is 7 and the building is 1509. Pune is changing fast but this area still feels like the old days. The streets are narrow and you have to watch out for the scooters zooming past. I open the shop around nine after having my tea. I spend a lot of time talking to the delivery guys. They are always in a rush and sometimes they forget half the order. I have to call them back and argue a bit. It is frustrating but that is part of the job. Inside the store, it is a bit of a mess. I try to keep the soaps away from the food items so the smell does not mix. People come in looking for specific things like a certain type of hair oil or a brand of incense. If I do not have it, they look disappointed. I tell them to come back on Thursday. The floor is made of old stone and it stays cool even in the summer. I have a small picture of my father on the wall. He started this place and I just kept it going. I do not have big plans to expand or anything like that. I just want to sell my goods and go home to my family at night. It is a steady life and I do not complain much. The traffic at the chowk can be loud but I am used to it.