Aayaan General Store

Running a general store in Batamaloo means you never really have a quiet moment. We are located right on the main road, near Rekh Chowk and the Mughal Darbar. From the time we open the shutters in the morning, someone is always asking for something. We stock everything from basic tea leaves to household items that people need in a hurry. Srinagar winters can be tough, so we make sure to have enough supplies when the snow starts. The shelves are a bit crowded because we try to fit in as much as we can. It’s just me and a couple of others helping out. We know most of the people who walk through the door by their first names. Sometimes we just sit and talk while the kettle is on in the back. It’s not a supermarket where everything is perfectly aligned. Things get moved around, and sometimes we have to search a bit to find a specific item. But that’s just how a local shop works. We deal with the delivery trucks coming in and the neighbors stopping by to catch up on news. The location near the police station and the main road stays busy until late. We aren't looking to grow into a big chain. We just like being the place where people can grab what they need on their way home.