Laxmi Provizon Store

Surat is a very fast city, but here in Adajan, things feel a bit more settled for us. Our shop is tucked right behind the TGB Restaurant at Shop No 21. It is a good spot because everyone in the area knows that restaurant well. I started this place because I wanted to work for myself and be near home. It is a basic provision store, so we keep the usual bags of rice, lentils, and soaps. The mornings are usually quiet, mostly just the milk delivery and a few early birds. By the afternoon, the sun hits the front of the shop directly, so we have to pull the shutter halfway down to stay cool. I do not use a computer for everything; most of my work is just done with pens and paper. Customers come from the nearby apartments and they know me by my name. I usually know which brand of detergent or tea they prefer before they even ask. It is a small space, so things are often stacked high up to the ceiling. Sometimes a box falls, and I have to spend an hour reorganizing everything. I try my best to keep the spices fresh. People in this part of Surat are very particular about their food. It is just me and one young boy helping out with the heavy lifting. We stay open late because people always forget something for their dinner. The traffic on the road is loud, but you get used to it.