Balchand Kirana Store

If you ever head down to the Main Chowk in Vadodara, you will eventually find Balchand Kirana Store. We are located right near the Old Gandhi statue which is a very well-known landmark. This part of the city is always extremely loud and full of activity. There are always people shouting, horns honking, and bells ringing from the temples nearby. Our shop is a bit old-fashioned compared to the new ones. We keep big metal tins full of various lentils and grains sitting right on the floor. People like to see and touch what they are buying, so we keep the lids open for most of the day. I have to chase away the local pigeons every now and then when they get too brave. The floor is made of thick old stone and it stays surprisingly cool even when the sun is beating down outside. My father was the one who started this business, and I have just kept it going the same way. We don't have a lot of floor space, so we have to stack our boxes very high up toward the ceiling. I use a long wooden stick with a metal hook on the end to reach things down. It is a bit of a trick to make sure nothing falls on my head. Being at the Main Chowk means we see everything that happens here, including the local festivals and the big crowds that come with them.