Walking Bandra’s buzzy Veronica Road one evening, this writer witnessed a revelatory interaction: a man stuck his head through the window of a villa to ask an attendant at a nondescript grocery store to send a milk packet for his evening tea. As the duo discussed how this request could be accommodated, it struck us that despite Bandra’s ascent into the stratosphere of the city’s cool, its provision stores have survived the onslaught of e-commerce, to command a loyal patronage. Here are a few landmarks that have become an indispensable part of the quotidian routine.

Growing up together

Established by Kutchi businessman, Nanji Shah — a transplant from Gujarat — in 1980, Neelam Foodland is a landmark. Usha Mahendra Jain, a 57-year-old homemaker who lives a few blocks away from the store, says, “We have been shopping from Neelam almost exclusively for 30 years now, and will continue to be loyal customers. They are like my go-to family store. In case of emergencies, they even deliver groceries to my home, which makes life much easier. They are a trusted store. The owner, staff and us — we have watched each other grow. Jain speaks fondly of Neelam’s progression from a small kirana store to a name that’s now known globally. “The store has grown in terms of products and also their quality of food. For many students and young professionals travelling abroad, shopping for ready-to-eat items is almost a rite of passage. In fact, when my daughter Vinanti went to the UK for her higher education, I packed ready-to-eat chole, rajma, dal makhani, jeera bhakris, banana chips, khakras, and even snacks like croutons. The staff is well-versed with such requests and will package the items accordingly. For my daughter, it was a special taste of home, even when she was miles away,” she continues. 
AT Neelam Foodland, 1st, 5,6,7 Tanna Kutir, 17th Road, Khar Danda. 
CALL 9930012320