Sree Balaji Tools Centre

This shop is right on Sadar Patrappa Road, at 33-34/2. If you know Bangalore, you know how S.P. Road is. It is always crowded and there is almost no place to walk, let alone park a scooter. We spend our days surrounded by tools and boxes. It’s a narrow space but we have managed to fit a lot in here over the years. You can hear the constant honking from the street outside all day long. Sometimes it’s so loud we have to shout a bit to hear each other. We open up early and start moving the heavy stuff around to make space. The walls are lined with shelves that go all the way to the ceiling. It’s a bit dusty because of all the construction and traffic nearby, but that’s just how it is in this part of town. Customers come in looking for specific bits and pieces and we usually know exactly which pile they are in. It’s a busy life here. We don't have much time for sitting around. Usually, lunch is just a quick bite from the nearby mess while standing behind the counter. The evening is even more chaotic when everyone is trying to finish their shopping before the market shuts down. It’s been our routine for a long time. We just keep track of the stock and make sure things are where they belong every day.