Dhuppad Provision Store

Dhanmandi is a place where there is always something going on, and we are right there at Teej Ka Chowk. Our store is a typical provision shop where you can find your daily needs. We have bags of flour, different kinds of lentils, spices, and oils. The shop isn't huge, so we have to use every inch of space. We have shelves going all the way to the top. When someone asks for a specific spice, we might have to use a ladder to get it. We know most of our customers because they have been coming to us for years. They live in the houses nearby and come in for their weekly groceries. We chat about the weather or the local news while we weigh the sugar or pack the tea leaves. It’s a very old-fashioned way of doing things, but people seem to like it. We don't have those plastic shopping carts; people just bring their own bags or we pack things in brown paper. The smell in the shop is a mix of everything—coriander, turmeric, and soap. Sometimes the kids come in for a single piece of candy, and we let them choose from the jar. It’s a neighborhood spot. We open up in the morning, sweep the floor, and wait for the first customer. It’s a steady pace, and we like being part of the community here in Dhanmandi.