Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara General Stores

This is Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara General Stores located in the Kaleshwar Rao Market. Being inside a market in Vijayawada means it is always noisy and moving. Our shop is number thirty-two. It’s a bit of a maze in here sometimes with all the different stalls around us. We have been in this spot for a long time. The space is packed with everything from spices to cleaning supplies. There isn't much room to walk around inside, so most people just stand at the counter. I keep a ledger for the regular customers who pay at the end of the month. The market gets very crowded in the mornings when the fresh stock arrives. You can smell the different grains and soaps all mixed together. It’s a very local feel. We don't bother with fancy displays or anything like that. Things are just stacked where they fit. My hands are usually dusty from handling the gunny bags. The ceiling fan hums all day but it barely helps with the humidity in Vijayawada. We just keep our heads down and serve whoever comes to the window. It’s a busy life in the market but we are used to the rhythm of it. Most of the other shopkeepers nearby are like friends now. We share tea and complain about the heat together. It is a small life but it is our life. Every day is pretty much the same.