Vihari Genral Store

Vihari Genral Store is tucked away in New Saket Nagar, which is part of the Naria area along Bhu Road in Varanasi. It is a bit more of a residential neighborhood compared to the loud market areas, so we actually know most of the people who walk through our door by their names. The street is usually quiet, except for when a vegetable seller goes past shouting about their prices. We keep all the basic groceries in stock, like bags of rice, flour, and different types of lentils. There are also smaller things like batteries, light bulbs, and matches that people always seem to run out of at the most inconvenient times. The shop is basically just one room with wooden shelves that reach all the way up to the ceiling. I have to use a shaky little ladder to get things down from the top shelves for customers. It gets a bit cramped inside if more than two or three people come in at the same time, but nobody in the 221005 area seems to mind the short wait. We often talk about the local news or how the monsoon is late while I weigh out the sugar on the scales. In the quiet afternoons, I usually just sit by the entrance and watch the neighborhood kids playing in the street. It’s an ordinary way to spend the day, just keeping the shop open and making sure the local families have their kitchen supplies.