Alpesh Colddrinks & Provision Store

Our shop is right across from the bus station in Surat. It stays very busy because of all the travelers coming and going at all hours. We have been here for a long time. We sell cold drinks, snacks, and basic things people need for their trips. In the summer, the fridge never stops running because everyone wants something cold to drink. It gets very crowded when a bus arrives and people rush in. We try to keep everything stocked on the shelves. It is a small store, so we have to stack things high. You can find biscuits, chips, and basic toiletries here. My family helps out behind the counter. We see hundreds of faces every day, mostly people in a hurry to catch their ride. The noise from the buses is something we live with. Sometimes people just come in to ask for directions or check the time of the next bus. We don't mind. It’s part of being in this spot. We open early in the morning before the first bus leaves. The evenings are usually the busiest when people are heading home. We keep a simple inventory. Nothing too fancy, just what folks need. The floor gets a bit dusty from the street, so we are always sweeping. It is a lot of standing around and waiting for the next rush. We’ve known the regular drivers for years now. It’s a local community even with all the different travelers.