As it enters its 51st year, BC Stores remains the hallmark of a reliable convenience store that functioned through floods, pandemics, and city shutdowns, serving the residents of this middle-class neighbourhood
Bharat Kuwalekar interacts with a customer at the Dadar store. PICs/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Nestled in the quiet by-lanes of Hindu Colony stands BC Stores — a shop many in the neighbourhood rely on, no matter the season or emergency. In reality, as we discovered, it is more than a kirana store. “It has remained operational through floods, strikes, riots, COVID-19, BC Stores [Best Care], has never shuttered,” reminds owner Bharat Kuwalekar, known to most customers as ‘Nandu Kaka’.
The shop’s roots go back to a small laundry run by the patriarch, Mahadev Balwant Kuwalekar that was set up in 1937. “It was called Best Laundry. My father started it across the road. When I began working with him, he told me clearly — there is no free work. You have to earn your wage. That is how I started,” his son, Bharat remembers. In 1974, the family moved from the laundry business, to selling tea and local bakery-made biscuits in a space opposite to the laundry shop. At that time, Irani kirana shops were their biggest competitors. They were well-known, and had established themselves for generations, but BC Stores’ popularity grew steadily.
Signboards featuring special food items of the day
“Gradually, we added dairy products from Chitale and Amul. People preferred typical Maharashtrian items, so we stocked those products too. Over time, I was able to memorise every family’s needs. Even today, I can recall what a family in a nearby building prefers — from their medical requirements, to their dairy habits,” Bharat laughs. Many regulars know another familiar face — Aparna Gawand, the in-house puranpoli expert.
G Venkateshwar Rao
“She has worked with the family for almost 30 years, helping them keep traditional tastes alive,” he quips. Soon, the kitchen at home became as important as the shop counter. Bharat’s wife, Dr Sangeeta Kuwalekar, a homeopath, naturopath, a yoga and reiki healer, or the ‘Mahamaya’ as he likes to call her, began preparing festive favourites like Faral, Chakli, Chiwda, Anarse, and Karanji as well. She also runs a homeopathy practice, making her both a partner in business and a healer in the community.
Sakas Peeth varieties (left to right) Upwas Bhajni, Thalepeeth Bhajni, Rice flour
Through the years, trust became the most important factor that earned BC Stores its popularity. “Customers ask us the smallest questions — even whether a particular loaf of bread is fresh, or if they should return for a new batch. It’s the sign of a good business.” Their shelves slowly expanded by stocking new items. Today, it stocks groceries and general needs: AA batteries, cold drinks, and varieties of Peeth (aata) — Jawar, Bajri, Nachni, Khapli, Bhakri, and Sharbati.
The facade of the store
The store is also stocked with achaar and farsan varieties, as well as their famous Sakas poli (roti/chapati), the ready-to-eat poli where all one needs to do is thaw it. The Kuwalekars ensure that no matter how many packets of Sakas poli you purchase, it remains fresh for a long time. “We’ve had customers who purchased 400 packets,” recalls G Venkateshwar Rao, long-time staffer, who comprises the core team that has remained with the family for decades. Kuwalekar names each one, including Rao — Arvind Jathar, Ajit Chachle, Suresh Devaskar, Prem, and Bahadur Thapa.
Sakas Poli at the stores
“My father worked till he was 93. He saw people come and go, but these staffers stayed with us. They are my family,” he assures. Bharat’s stories of customers could fill a book. One of his favourites is about Asha tai, a long-time customer who bought ghee regularly. “She asked me, ‘Nandu, is this ghee fine? Nothing will happen to my throat, right?’ I told her, ‘Asha tai, I care about your throat more than you care about it’.”
Dr Sangeeta Kuwalekar
Well-known customers including celebrities like Lata Mangeshkar, RD Burman and Sunil Gavaskar, have dropped by, Bharat rattles off. It’s apparent that BC Stores believes only in the ‘best care’ for its customers, built on word-of-mouth goodwill and service with a smile.
At Shop 7 and 8, Sunoo Lodge Building, Sir Bhalchandra Road, Hindu Colony, Dadar.
Time 5 am to 8 pm (Open all days)
Call 987337906, 9324295737
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