Chellam Departmental Store

Chellam Departmental Store sits at 2/432 on Aringar Anna Street, right near the Vandalur Railway Station. Being near the station means there is a lot of noise from the trains and people rushing to catch their ride. It’s a busy spot to be in. We have a variety of things packed into the store, from household cleaners to snacks and stationary. It’s a bit of a squeeze sometimes when a few customers are inside at once. We spend a lot of time unpacking boxes that the delivery trucks drop off. The air can get a bit stuffy, so we keep the door wide open. It’s not a fancy supermarket with bright lights and music. It’s just a practical place for people to grab what they need on their way home. We see a lot of regular faces from the neighborhood and some strangers who just got off the train. Working here means you see a bit of everything. We try to keep the prices regular and the stock updated. The shelves are mostly metal and wood, nothing fancy. Sometimes we lose track of time when it gets busy in the evenings. It’s a lot of repetitive work, scanning items and packing bags, but it keeps us going. We’ve become a part of the daily routine for many folks around Vandalur. We just take it one day at a time and try to stay organized. It is not always easy, but we are here every day regardless of the weather.