Sat Apr 19 04:53:55 UTC 2025: ## Century-Old Tea Shop in West Bengal Run by its Loyal Customers

**Serampore, West Bengal** – A unique tea shop in Serampore, West Bengal, is defying the odds, remaining a vibrant community hub for over a century thanks to the dedication of its regular customers. Naresh Shome’s tea shop, founded by a freedom fighter, operates on a remarkable system: the owner, Ashok Chakroborty, leaves the shop unattended during his workday, entrusting its operation to a rotating team of ten volunteer customers.

These volunteers, mostly retired pensioners, take turns managing the shop throughout the week, brewing tea, serving customers, and handling the finances with unwavering honesty. There’s no formal schedule; whoever is free takes charge, maintaining a system of trust that has endured for decades.

The shop, a modest five-by-seven-foot establishment, retains its old-world charm with a coal-fired stove and clay cups, serving simple yet beloved teas for just five rupees (approximately $0.06) a refill. Its location across from a crematorium adds a poignant layer to its social role, providing a space for solace and shared grief.

The shop’s founder, Naresh Chandra Shome, a former Brooke Bond employee who became a freedom fighter and active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), established the shop around 1925. It served as a meeting place for comrades and remains a beloved community spot, located next to the local CPI(M) office.

The shop embodies the “adda” culture of West Bengal – a tradition of relaxed, informal group conversations over tea. It draws people from all walks of life, fostering a strong sense of community and shared history. However, the future of this unique establishment is uncertain. The current owner expresses concern that younger generations, with their busy lives and less emphasis on traditional social gatherings, may not be able to maintain the shop’s unique legacy of trust and community spirit. While the shop continues to thrive for now, its long-term survival depends on the willingness of future generations to embrace its cherished traditions.

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