H M S Florist

H M S Florist occupies units B-40 and 41 near the Asara Theater in Kalipalayam. Being near the theater is great because we get a lot of people who are out for an evening of entertainment. The shop is more like a couple of stalls joined together, so it is quite narrow and deep. We have been in Kalipalayam for a long time and have seen the area change around us. Our days are filled with the sound of the theater crowds and the local traffic. We start work before the sun comes up to get the best picks from the wholesalers. Sorting through the marigolds and jasmine takes up most of our morning. We sit on small stools and thread the flowers into long garlands, which is a skill that takes years to get right. Our fingers are often stained yellow or green by the time we are done. We keep a pot of tea going in the back to help us stay alert during the long hours. The floor is made of rough concrete and it is usually covered in bits of thread and broken stems. We do not have any fancy lighting or air conditioning. We just rely on the breeze coming through the open front of the stalls. It is a simple, honest way to work. People know they can find us here every day, rain or shine, right by the theater entrance.