Lucknow’s beloved Hazratganj is decorated to its brim with ceaseless shops, showrooms and eateries. Adorned with stores old and new, ideal for both high-end shopping and inexpensive places, Ganj accommodatingly shelters it all like a mixed pot of emotions.
And amongst it all stands a place that saw the British rule, that witnessed Ganj change its face and evolve — Cheap House. Don’t go by the looks because this lil gargage-like shopee actually hides within itself a huge store that has anything and everything you’d need on a daily basis!
All about the Cheap House
A hit amongst shoppers in colonial times, the shop adopted what visitors would go on to call “the Cheap Place/House”. The departmental store doubles up as a gift shop and sees throngs of loyal customers who trust its quality products.
In a candid conversation with Knocksense, the humble owner of the place, Ahmad, shared, “Compared to others, customers would regard the items in this shop very cheap and they started calling it ‘the cheap place’ among each other. We were inspired from that and adopted the name — Cheap House — a gift from our customers!”
“My grandfather, Fasiuddin, who settled in Lucknow from Kanpur, started this shop in 1927. Since the beginning, shoppers have immensely changed and so have their requirements. We try to fulfill the demands of maximum customers and, hence, keep updating the shop,” he talked about the history of the Cheap House.
Not only has the shop evolved to keep up with the new generation’s demands but it also follows the trends! From toddlers’ kick scooters to BTS-themed clocks, from mini figurines of superheroes to models of hot racing cars for the collectors, the Cheap House is much more than a general store.
The 96-year-old place also offers customisation for gift items like mugs and more.
Contact: 95596 28648
Location: 40, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Hazratganj, Lucknow
