Sai Kirana & Gen Stores

The shop is at 6-68-1 in Kunchamambha Colony, which is part of Chinagantyada here in Gajuwaka. Being in this part of Visakhapatnam means we get a lot of workers from the nearby industries. It’s a humid place and the air always feels a bit heavy. We have the usual kirana items like rice, oils, and different types of dal. The shelves are made of old wood and they are packed tight with everything from soaps to snacks. Most of the people who come here live in the colony, so we know their families and what they usually buy. It’s a small operation. We spend most of our time checking the jars to see what needs refilling. Sometimes the power goes out and we have to use flashlights to find the right items for the customers. It’s not like those big malls in the city center. It’s just a local shop where you can get your daily necessities without a fuss. We keep a ledger for the regulars who pay at the end of the month. The floor gets muddy during the rains because people walk in from the street. We just mop it up and keep going. It’s a long day from morning to night, but it’s what we know. My brother helps out on the weekends when it gets very crowded. We try to keep it simple and keep the bags filled.