That Old Sports Store

If you love the Old Darjeeling more than the new one, I am certain you will love this article too.

Well, I love sports too, like I love the old Darjeeling. I have been an enthusiast, and I have been fond of all stories that revolve around sports. Hang on! Don't close the browser, the article is not over yet, mate. I am not going to speak about Viv Richards and Farookh Engineer, rather I would want to take you on a tour of the most iconic store of Darjeeling. I proudly call it, 'My favorite store' because every-time I cross that street, I check if its open and every-time i visit them, I forget the concept of time.

Sports is just like an old wine for me. However, I would not enjoy discussing IPL with you. Lets speak about first class cricket, the red swinging ball, LORDS, willow........

Yes, in the store, we have our old man, who would greet you in the most ecstatic way. Ask him for something, and in the most genuine fashion, he will pull it out from those old racks. He will adjust his glasses hanging with his neck band and quote you the price it would cost you. You have queries about the product? Throw it at him, and you will hear him answer it, in the most genuine way possible with an over-whelming smile. Low on budget? Tell him and he will discount it further for you. Want an alternative? Believe me, the store is magical, like the wand-store from Harry Potter. He will certainly get for you the product matching your requirement.

The store is small, but you will find every thing you need. Just crack a conversation with him and you will get the best Sports advice from him.

I landed there last evening for a bat-grip. The old memories came floating in like Bob Dylan's song.

I cracked a successful conversation with our old man, and he took me back into history.

He has been running the store since 1951. I also realized that my favorite store was not in its best condition. Stock was less and dusty, also the store appeared not so well managed. I boldly, while checking a Kashmir Willow bat, asked him about it. He told me, he has not been able to recoup his store since the beginning of the lock-down (Covid-19) and whatever I saw was the old stock. What is this store fighting? Covid or Online shopping?

If covid, well, we all are fighting then. If online shopping, then I would rather pay a penny extra for the advice from his vast experience.

While leaving the store, I had a mixed feeling. Should I be happy that I went to my favorite store? Or be sad that it's going through a bad phase.