When the pandemic pushed many small businesses to the brink, Sapna Gupta of Raipur chose to build something new instead of giving up. At a time when people were scrambling to protect their livelihoods, she set up a paratha stall that has since become part of the city's morning identity. Her 'Paratha Junction' at Jaystambh Chowk now fills up every morning with the aroma of fresh parathas, and its ₹50-a-plate aloo paratha is the crowd favourite.
Sapna has been running this startup for the past four years. Before this, she operated a tiffin centre, but the conditions during the pandemic forced her to wind it up. Even so, she refused to lose heart and decided to try something fresh in the city.
A Gap That Became an Opportunity
Sapna noticed that there was no proper paratha stall around Jaystambh Chowk in the early hours. That empty space became the foundation of her venture. She started Paratha Junction with very limited means. The early days were far from easy, drawing in customers and steadying the business threw up plenty of challenges, but steady hard work and consistent taste slowly won people over.
Six Kinds of Parathas, Aloo on Top
Today the stall serves six varieties of parathas, aloo, paneer, gobhi, methi, lachha and plain. Of these, the aloo paratha remains far and away the most in demand. According to Sapna, more than 150 aloo parathas sell every day, while paneer parathas go up to 25.
A Business That Runs for Just Five Hours
The most striking thing about this startup is its timing. Paratha Junction opens only from 5 am to 10 am, a window of just five hours. In that short stretch, large numbers of working professionals, students, morning walkers and breakfast lovers gather here. Thanks to the fresh, flavourful parathas, the spot has become a favourite breakfast destination for locals.
