Pune Inc: How a bookstore is taking on e-commerce giants by focussing on old-fashioned reading habits

Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe has opened a new outlet after finding that a lot of people were tired of screen time and coming back to books.

The new outlet, which opened this month, will offer more than 5,000 titles.

In a business venture that fits the trappings of an adventure story, a Pune-based couple, who run a brick-and-mortar bookstore, have expanded to a new space despite two tough years of the pandemic. This has happened even as many standalone bookstores have shut down across the country and the world.

Neha and Vishal Pipraiya started Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe in August 2013 as a lending library with their personal collection of titles. Books for sale numbered only 500 and occupied a couple of floor-to-ceiling bookcases. The new outlet, which opened this month, will offer more than 5,000 titles. “For us, books represent a very beautiful way of life. With Pagdandi, which means a rough path, we are trying to encourage people to slow down and take time off to have a cup of tea or coffee and browse,” says Neha.

Neha and Vishal Pipraiya started Pagdandi Bookstore Cafe in August 2013.

The evolution from a lending library to a full-fledged bookstore happened during Covid when Pagdandi put out an Excel sheet with their titles for people to buy—and thus raise revenue. “We figured out the logistics of making deliveries. People started ordering and we started a bookstore. It kept growing as we were getting a good response,” she adds.

After the pandemic, when the bookstore reopened, the staff found that large numbers of customers were tired of screen time and were coming to buy books the old-school way, by spending time looking through shelves and selecting works.

The evolution from a lending library to a full-fledged bookstore happened during Covid.

“After Covid, we were able to grow the bookstore section from just two shelves to eight by sacrificing the cafe space but our overall revenue remained low compared to before the pandemic. The entire Covid period was very tough for us financially,” says Vishal.

They found the bookstore and the cafe were not able to flourish in one space. “A lot of customers expressed their feedback that they felt neither satisfied with the cafe nor the bookstore and, that’s why we decided to open a new shop. We are hopeful that in a year’s time we can make the new shop sustainable,” he adds.

The new shop will have sections such as Indian fiction, a lot of translations, politics, gender studies, children’s literature, art, cinema, history and travel, among others.

With the new bookstore, the old space will be dedicated to serving snacks and beverages, with a reading section. “We have collaborated with brands that focus on sustainability. The milk used in our cafe is organic and the brand that provides us with coffee follows fair-trade practices,” says Neha.

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Curation is one of Pagdandi’s strengths, and the new shop will have sections such as Indian fiction, a lot of translations, politics, gender studies, children’s literature, art, cinema, history and travel, among others. “We have a science-fiction section, which we are trying to expand. We are also trying to get rare books as well as graphic novels,” she adds.

By December, events such as poetry readings, which drew packed houses and featured prominent figures, are expected to resume. “We believe in working with the communities that are working with people. We will be assessing our performance after six months and, then, one year. Starting a big bookstore is a bet, and we also want to see what happens next,” says Vishal.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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