Eenadu Fancy & General Stores

Being in Gajuwaka means dealing with a lot of noise from the industrial side of Visakhapatnam. Our shop, Eenadu Fancy & General Stores, is located at D.No-10-24-1. It’s a sturdy little building that has been around for quite some time. I like the balance of selling fancy items like ribbons and perfumes along with the usual groceries like rice and oil. Most of my customers are women from the surrounding houses who need something quick for the kitchen or a bit of jewelry for a local festival. The shop smells like a mix of incense sticks and laundry soap. I have these old wooden shelves that go all the way to the ceiling, and they are packed tight. I use a ledger to keep track of my accounts, and I always have a pencil tucked behind my ear. It is a bit cramped in here when more than three people come in at once, but we manage just fine. The light inside isn’t the best, so I keep the front wide open to let the sun in. I spend my afternoons drinking tea and talking to the other shopkeepers on the block. We all know each other. When the sun starts to set, the street lights come on and the vibe changes as the workers come home. I enjoy the rhythm of the day here. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s my shop and I take care of it as best I can.