For Neha and Vishal Pipraiya, books represent a very beautiful way of life. With Pagdandi, which means a rough path, they are trying to encourage people to slow down and take time off to have a cup of tea or coffee and browse.

In August 2013, they opened the Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe as a lending library using books from their collection. Only 500 books were available for purchase, and they took up a few floor-to-ceiling bookcases. This month's opening of the new store has more than 5,000 titles available.

It was during Covid that the company gradually progressed from a lending library to a full-fledged bookstore. The couple released an Excel sheet containing their titles for individuals to buy—and so increase revenue. Neha said that people began placing orders and they set up a system for deliveries. Soon with increasing orders and positive feedback they started a bookstore.

After the pandemic, when the bookshop reopened, the staff discovered that many customers were tired of screen time and were coming to buy books the old-fashioned way, by taking their time browsing the shelves and choosing books.

One of Pagdandi's strengths is curation, and the new store will include sections on Indian fiction, several translations, children's literature, art, film, history, and travel, among other topics. They are attempting to expand the science fiction section. Along with graphic novels, they are also attempting to acquire rare volumes.

Despite facing many challenges, especially during the pandemic, the couple with their dedication took on the pandemic as well as e-commerce giants and emerged victorious. The new bookstore in Pune is evidence of this fact.