Altaf Provisional Store

Altaf Provisional Store is located in the Gojwara area of Srinagar. We are right opposite Wani N Co and very close to the Jamia Masjid. Being near the Masjid means we hear the calls for prayer throughout the day, which gives a nice rhythm to our work. In the winter, it gets very cold here, so we spend a lot of time wrapped in warm clothes while waiting for customers. The shop is in an old building and the wooden shelves have a lot of history to them. We carry all the basic stuff that a house needs, from salt to soap. People in Gojwara are very traditional and they prefer coming to a place where they can talk for a few minutes. It is not like the big malls. We deal with the local suppliers who bring their goods through the narrow streets. Sometimes the snow makes it hard to get new stock, but we manage somehow. The shop doesn't have a lot of fancy lighting. We rely on the natural light coming through the front door mostly. It is a simple setup. My family has been around this area for a long time, so we know the neighbors well. We don't have a website or anything like that. We just open the doors in the morning and see who comes by. It is a steady way to live and work in such a beautiful, old city. We just provide what is necessary for the local families.